Message from the President...
The Association of VA Surgeons (AVAS) 44th annual Surgical Symposium will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 19-21, 2020 at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center.
Dr. Danny Chu is our Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee and he has chosen a fabulous venue for us; the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center hotel is located centrally in downtown Pittsburgh across from the PPG Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.
As a new activity this year, on the evening before the meeting, Saturday April 18 2020, we will have a 3-hour riverboat cruise featuring live music, dinner and a guided tour of Pittsburgh’s major historic sites. The cruise will be complimentary for the first 100 registered attendees for the meeting. The Gateway Clipper riverboat sight-seeing cruise has been a highly rated attraction in Pittsburgh for the last 50 years. This event will also be an excellent opportunity for AVAS members to network with the Executive Council, invited guest speakers, and other members.
The AVAS will be hosting the annual members’ welcome reception on Sunday evening April 19 2020, at the world-famous Andy Warhol Museum. This is the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist. The museum has 5 floors and is home to an extensive collection of art and personal items from the Pittsburgh-born art icon, Andy Warhol.
Dr. Brian Smith is the Chair of the Program Committee for the 2020 meeting and he has put together an exciting program. There are three panel sessions that will engage the attendees; these panels include Perioperative Care in the VA, Clinical Research and its Impact on Career Development, and Tips for a Successful and Satisfying Career. In addition, we look forward to active engagement by our anesthesia colleagues from the Association of VA Anesthesiologists.
Please note the abstract submission deadline this year has been extended to January 10, 2020! This will allow ample time for you to submit your abstract. This deadline is firm and will not be extended, so please plan ahead!
I sincerely thank both Danny and Brian for their hard work and dedication that is setting up an incredible annual meeting. Plan to attend and I look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh!
Alan Dardik, MD PhD
AVAS President 2019-2020
Dr. Danny Chu is our Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee and he has chosen a fabulous venue for us; the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center hotel is located centrally in downtown Pittsburgh across from the PPG Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.
As a new activity this year, on the evening before the meeting, Saturday April 18 2020, we will have a 3-hour riverboat cruise featuring live music, dinner and a guided tour of Pittsburgh’s major historic sites. The cruise will be complimentary for the first 100 registered attendees for the meeting. The Gateway Clipper riverboat sight-seeing cruise has been a highly rated attraction in Pittsburgh for the last 50 years. This event will also be an excellent opportunity for AVAS members to network with the Executive Council, invited guest speakers, and other members.
The AVAS will be hosting the annual members’ welcome reception on Sunday evening April 19 2020, at the world-famous Andy Warhol Museum. This is the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist. The museum has 5 floors and is home to an extensive collection of art and personal items from the Pittsburgh-born art icon, Andy Warhol.
Dr. Brian Smith is the Chair of the Program Committee for the 2020 meeting and he has put together an exciting program. There are three panel sessions that will engage the attendees; these panels include Perioperative Care in the VA, Clinical Research and its Impact on Career Development, and Tips for a Successful and Satisfying Career. In addition, we look forward to active engagement by our anesthesia colleagues from the Association of VA Anesthesiologists.
Please note the abstract submission deadline this year has been extended to January 10, 2020! This will allow ample time for you to submit your abstract. This deadline is firm and will not be extended, so please plan ahead!
I sincerely thank both Danny and Brian for their hard work and dedication that is setting up an incredible annual meeting. Plan to attend and I look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh!
Alan Dardik, MD PhD
AVAS President 2019-2020
Society Affiliation
JAMA Surgery is pleased to be the official publication for the Association of VA Surgeons.