Spread the word!

AVAS members, please encourage your partners and colleagues to join AVAS as Active Members.  The Society is now accepting applications which will be reviewed by the AVAS Membership Committee and submitted for approval by the Executive Committee every quarter.

Want to Join AVAS?

AVAS is a vibrant society comprised of surgeons practicing in a VA setting and open to students, residents, and fellows interested in pursuing a surgical career at the VA.  The society offers tremendous opportunity for faculty and trainee networking and offers a valuable service to its members through knowledge gained at the annual meeting as well as through advanced educational opportunities provided by the AVAS Foundation.  Healthcare professionals who are not surgeons, but have an interest in veteran care are invited to apply as Associate members.  

Annual Dues

Annual dues, determined on a calendar year basis, are $150.00 annually.  Members whose dues are in arrears for 2 year may have their membership terminated.  
Want to pay your dues online? Click on the button below.

Membership Roster

Please click on the button below to access the current membership Roster.

Membership Application Process

To become a member of the Association of VA Surgeons, you must do the following:

  • Complete a Membership Application Form below.
  • Attach a current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • Later in the application process, you must submit 2 letters of recommendation from a member or senior member of AVAS. If there are no members of AVAS at your hospital, letters from the Chief of Staff, chairman of the appropriate academic department, or a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons would be acceptable. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Membership Chairman or attach the letter with your application.
  • ​Please contact our Membership Chairman if you have any questions:

Sam Awad, MD
Michael E. DeBakey VAMC
Department of Surgery
2002 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030-4298
713-794-7892
samir.awad@va.gov​

Membership Categories
There are several categories of membership to the Association of VA Surgeons:

  • Active Members are surgeons, surgical specialists and anesthesiologists affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs who hold certification by the American Board of their specialty or Fellowship in or certification by one of the Royal or American Colleges. Only Active Members are eligible for election to office or appointment to standing committees.

  • Senior Members are Active Members who have reached the age of 65 years or who have retired from affiliation with the Department of Veterans Affairs and for these or any other acceptable reasons have applied to the Executive Committee and have been approved for that status. Senior members are excused payment of dues. They are not entitled to hold office.

  • Associate Members shall be individuals having an interest in patient care, medical education, or research in surgery in the Department of Veterans Affairs (including but not limited to research scientists, physician assistants, perfusionists, nurses, nurse practitioners, practice administrators, data managers and other health care professionals). Active members who are terminating affiliation with the Department of Veterans Affairs by means other than retirement may apply to the Executive Committee for Associate Member status. Associate Members shall pay dues. They shall not be entitled to hold office.
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  • Honorary Members may be selected from surgeons, surgical specialists, and anesthesiologists of unusual eminence in the profession proposed to the Association by the Executive Committee. They are not required to pay dues nor are they privileged to vote or hold office. They may, however, act in a consultative or advisory capacity to any officer or committee of the Association.

  • Candidate Members are surgeons, surgical specialists, and anesthesiologists affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs who are candidates for certification by the American Board of their specialty or are members of the candidate group of the American College of Surgeons. Candidate members will receive mailings, may submit papers for presentation, and may attend meetings. They are not required to pay dues nor are they privileged to vote or hold office. An individual may be a candidate member for no longer than four (4) years.

Membership Application