The leadership of the American College of Surgeons has proven itself unfit to lead surgeons by its uncritical promotion of antiracism and DEI within the College
We all need to start doing this with our various boards, societies and academies. Unfortunately, I think it is only us old farts that are able to do so. If we get kicked out, we are probably already so burned out that we won't care. It is the younger generation that I worry about. Until they stand up, things will probably not change. And a lot of them don't see a problem with the way things are going.
I can relate. I was drawn into this somewhat unwillingly because I just could not stomach the ACS leadership calling me and my fellow surgeons racists. For most of my career, now 45 years since graduating medical school, I was too busy with my practice, my patients, and my family to pay too much attention to politics and the erosion of medical care in the US. Now, I have no excuse and my hope is that I will leave medicine better for my kids, especially my daughter and her husband, who are both excellent, young physicians juggling practice and family like I was. I don't expect them to be out there like I am today. We "old farts" are all partly to blame for the predicament we are in today. Time to try to right the ship. Rick
What do you recommend the average surgeon do? Is there any way to even complain or have a voice in the ACS? I spent 8 years working towards becoming a Fellow and while boycotting or voluntarily giving up my FACS is an option but it seems unlikely to even be noticed.
I'd love to see a robust alternative organization to the ACS. My entire business (Veritas Surgery) is predicated on creating robust alternatives to the system - a parallel medical economy. I think we are increasingly going to be seeing a need for parallel medical schools, licensing bodies, professional orgs, and even hospitals, clinics, and insurance options.
I answered you in an email. I wish you phenomenal success with Veritas Surgery. Would love to see that modeled here in Florida. The ACS is lost I am afraid and will go the way of the AMA if they continue to push DEI and antiracism in surgery. I know many senior surgeons who are leaving in disgust.
We all need to start doing this with our various boards, societies and academies. Unfortunately, I think it is only us old farts that are able to do so. If we get kicked out, we are probably already so burned out that we won't care. It is the younger generation that I worry about. Until they stand up, things will probably not change. And a lot of them don't see a problem with the way things are going.
I can relate. I was drawn into this somewhat unwillingly because I just could not stomach the ACS leadership calling me and my fellow surgeons racists. For most of my career, now 45 years since graduating medical school, I was too busy with my practice, my patients, and my family to pay too much attention to politics and the erosion of medical care in the US. Now, I have no excuse and my hope is that I will leave medicine better for my kids, especially my daughter and her husband, who are both excellent, young physicians juggling practice and family like I was. I don't expect them to be out there like I am today. We "old farts" are all partly to blame for the predicament we are in today. Time to try to right the ship. Rick
What do you recommend the average surgeon do? Is there any way to even complain or have a voice in the ACS? I spent 8 years working towards becoming a Fellow and while boycotting or voluntarily giving up my FACS is an option but it seems unlikely to even be noticed.
I'd love to see a robust alternative organization to the ACS. My entire business (Veritas Surgery) is predicated on creating robust alternatives to the system - a parallel medical economy. I think we are increasingly going to be seeing a need for parallel medical schools, licensing bodies, professional orgs, and even hospitals, clinics, and insurance options.
Matthew,
I answered you in an email. I wish you phenomenal success with Veritas Surgery. Would love to see that modeled here in Florida. The ACS is lost I am afraid and will go the way of the AMA if they continue to push DEI and antiracism in surgery. I know many senior surgeons who are leaving in disgust.
Rick