Message from the President...
Following the recent shocking, tragic and violent deaths of several members of the African American community, including Mr. George Floyd, many medical and surgical organizations have spoken out about the scourge of systemic racism and oppression that is prevalent in our country.
The mission of the Association of VA Surgeons (AVAS) has always been to improve patient care, education and research in surgery within the VA healthcare system. Our goal is to strive towards constant improvement and to ultimately provide the highest quality of service for our patients – veterans of the United States of America military forces. This includes advocacy for diversification and promotion of equity - regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, financial or social status.
The AVAS condemns racism and discrimination in any form and will never tolerate social injustice towards other human-beings. We cannot remain silent bystanders and must advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion as it aligns with the core mission of AVAS.
“Excellence of performance will transcend artificial barriers created by man” – Dr. Charles Richard Drew. (First African American surgeon to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery in 1941).
On behalf of the AVAS Executive Committee,
Alan Dardik, MD, PhD
President, AVAS 2020
The mission of the Association of VA Surgeons (AVAS) has always been to improve patient care, education and research in surgery within the VA healthcare system. Our goal is to strive towards constant improvement and to ultimately provide the highest quality of service for our patients – veterans of the United States of America military forces. This includes advocacy for diversification and promotion of equity - regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, financial or social status.
The AVAS condemns racism and discrimination in any form and will never tolerate social injustice towards other human-beings. We cannot remain silent bystanders and must advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion as it aligns with the core mission of AVAS.
“Excellence of performance will transcend artificial barriers created by man” – Dr. Charles Richard Drew. (First African American surgeon to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery in 1941).
On behalf of the AVAS Executive Committee,
Alan Dardik, MD, PhD
President, AVAS 2020
Society Affiliation
JAMA Surgery is pleased to be the official publication for the Association of VA Surgeons.