ABS Accepting Nominations for At-Large Director

Aug. 8, 2018

The American Board of Surgery (ABS) is accepting nominations for one or more at-large director positions. The role of the at-large directors is to represent surgeons from outside of academia. Successful candidates will be active in the practice of surgery and work in a community or rural setting in private or non-academic practice. The ABS seeks excellent, knowledgeable surgeons who are highly regarded by their colleagues, who participate in committees, boards and local leadership at the hospital or elsewhere, who have excellent communication skills, and who are models of professionalism.

Nominations may come from peers, local or national surgical or medical organizations, hospital staff, or by self-nomination.

All directors of the American Board of Surgery must:

Be certified by the American Board of Surgery for at least five years.
Be meeting the requirements of the ABS Continuous Certification Program, and continue to meet these requirements throughout their term.
Be able to complete a six-year term before reaching the age of 65 (DOB after July 1, 1960), as per ABS bylaws.
Attend the June 2019 Board meeting, June 22-25, 2019.
Commit to approximately 24 days of volunteer work with the Board each year for six years, including participation in two semi-annual board meetings, three oral examinations and various committee meetings.

Participation in local leadership in the form of committee membership or board participation at the local hospital or elsewhere is an expectation. Training residents or medical students is not required or expected, and should represent only a small portion of professional time.

Nominations for this position will be accepted from now until Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Nominees, including self-nominated applicants, should submit their curriculum vitae along with a letter of interest containing the information requested below. All nominations/applications and related inquiries should be sent to abscomms@absurgery.org. Sponsors should include a letter of recommendation of no more than one page addressing the qualifications noted below. Self-nominations do not need a sponsor for this initial application.

A short list of candidates will be asked for additional information including two references. Final selections will be made by the board of directors in January 2019.

Information to be included in the letter of interest:

Describe your current surgical practice situation, i.e., type of practice, geographic location, solo/partnership/group, etc.
List any experiences you have had in activities of the American Board of Surgery, e.g., question writing or participation in oral examinations as an associate examiner.
Describe your experience with hospital, committee (medical or non-medical) or board participation.
In one paragraph, describe how your background and expertise can contribute to the activities and mission of the ABS.
The work of an at-large director of the ABS requires approximately 24 days per year away from home to attend two ABS Board meetings, three Certifying Examinations and various committee meetings, in addition to conference calls and work off-site. Please acknowledge your willingness to meet this time commitment.