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Welcome!

The Association of VA Surgeons is pleased to introduce you to this wonderful organization. Please scroll through our website to learn more about our members and what we do.

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We are going to Pittsburgh!

2022 Annual Meeting 
April 24-26


Picture
The Westin Pittsburgh
​
1000 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
​

17.9 miles to Pittsburgh airport

​** MEETING UPDATE **

​Dear 2022 AVAS meeting attendees,

With COVID cases on a slight rise nationally, and to keep our 2022 Annual Meeting attendees as safe as possible, the AVAS is now strongly recommending masking when not eating or drinking at the meeting. A limited number of masks will be available at the registration desk.  We look forward to seeing you at the meeting. 


Sincerely,
AVAS Executive Council

AVAS Visiting Professorship Award

The Association of VA Surgeons (AVAS) is reinforcing its commitment to achieving its complete mission by engaging diverse populations of exceptional surgeons. The aim of the AVAS DEI Visiting Professorship is to attract highly accomplished early career VA surgeons from underrepresented groups who are making significant contributions within their fields. Visiting Professors will contribute as ambassadors for AVAS to various VA Medical Centers and University affiliates through lectureship, education, and programming aligned with their academic missions.

Each year, the AVAS DEI committee and EC will solicit nominations for the AVAS Visiting Professorship and AVAS will name 5 VA surgeons to serve as the AVAS DEI Visiting Professor per year. This Professorship includes opportunities for grand rounds presentations, invited lectureships, meetings with hospital and departmental leadership, surgical trainee panels, etc.

Eligibility: AVAS members at the Assistant or Associate Professor level or VA surgeon appointments within the first 10 years of their faculty or VA appointment. VA Surgeons who identify as female, nonbinary, LGBTQ, or underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities in medicine (https://extramural-diversity.nih.gov/diversity-matters/underrepresented-groups) are eligible.

Award: A stipend of $2000 to cover travel and accommodation expenses. An additional honorarium can be provided by host institution. 

Host institutions:
  1. Stanford University
  2. University of Wisconsin,
  3. VA Boston Healthcare System
  4. University of Pittsburgh
  5. Yale University

Host Site Department of Surgery/ VA Medical Center Responsibilities include coordination of travel, itinerary, grand rounds/ presentation as well as providing opportunities for interaction between the Visiting Professor and local women and minority surgical faculty, residents, and students. Providing the Visiting Professor with an honorarium would be at the discretion of the host institution

Nomination applications can be completed below with a statement of interest (750 words) and submitted by April 11, 2022. Curriculum vitae and a letter of support from the candidate’s VA Chief of Surgery or University affiliate Chair of Surgery will be uploaded with the application. Submit your order of preference for host institution.

Note the AVAS Diversity Statement below:

The Association of VA Surgeons is pleased to announce the formation of a new ad-hoc committee: Diversity and Inclusion committee. The AVAS is committed to improving patient care, education and research in surgery within the VA healthcare system. To achieve that goal we have to advocate for diversification and promotion of equity. The mission of the newly formed D&I Committee is to ensure diverse representation in membership, governance and programming for the AVAS and keep matters of diversity and inclusion front and center during regular deliberations and decision making of the Executive council. The committee will examine the current status of diversity and minority representation in AVAS across its spectrum of activities. The eventual goal is to develop programs to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in AVAS and provide avenue for safe and meaningful dialogue on issues of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, financial or social status.

Any questions should be directed to Sue Lentz at vasurgeons@gmail.com or call 206-794-7022.


Deadline April 18, 2022
APPLY HERE

AVAS DEI Travel Scholarship

The Association of VA Surgeons is pleased to announce a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Travel Scholarships to attend the annual meeting in Pittsburgh on April 24-26, 2022. See details below.

Eligibility: Students and Trainees interested in attending the AVAS annual meeting (including residents, fellows, medical students, podiatry students, undergraduate and graduate students) who identify as underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities in medicine (https://extramural-diversity.nih.gov/diversity-matters/underrepresented-groups), LGBTQ, or are a current undergraduate who is a first-generation college student are eligible.

Award details: A total of 7 awards will be given. Each awardee will have the registration fees covered and will be provided a $1,000 reimbursement to offset travel and/or lodging costs.

Candidates will be asked to complete an application including a statement of interest (500 words) and provide a letter of recommendation from an AVAS sponsor. Candidates do NOT need to have an accepted scientific presentation on the agenda as we seek to attract interested students and trainees to VA surgery.

Award recipients will be recognized prior to the Presidential Address on the final day of the conference.

​Previous winners are not eligible.

Note the AVAS Diversity Statement below:
The Association of VA Surgeons is pleased to announce the formation of a new ad-hoc committee: Diversity and Inclusion committee. The AVAS is committed to improving patient care, education and research in surgery within the VA healthcare system. To achieve that goal we have to advocate for diversification and promotion of equity. The mission of the newly formed D&I Committee is to ensure diverse representation in membership, governance and programming for the AVAS and keep matters of diversity and inclusion front and center during regular deliberations and decision making of the Executive council. The committee will examine the current status of diversity and minority representation in AVAS across its spectrum of activities. The eventual goal is to develop programs to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in AVAS and provide avenue for safe and meaningful dialogue on issues of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, financial or social status.

​
Any questions should be directed to Sue Lentz at vasurgeons@gmail.com or call 206-794-7022.

Deadline April 14, 2022
CLOSED

Society Affiliation

JAMA Surgery is pleased to be the official publication for the Association of VA Surgeons. 
More info

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Please send us an email if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you.

Administrator: Susan Lentz | Tel: 206-794-9124 | Email: vasurgeons@gmail.com

Mailing Address: PO Box 2459. Lynnwood, WA 98036
Physical Address: 15631 Ash Way, A306. Lynnwood, WA 98087

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