Since its inception, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma was established to further the study and practice of traumatic surgery in its various departments, in the United States and Canada.
Today, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is the premier academic trauma surgery organization in the United States and has approximately 1,700 members from 30 countries.
The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma hold its annual meeting each year in September or early October. The meeting attracts about 750 physicians and scientists whose primary interest lies in the investigation and the treatment of various forms of trauma and the application of surgical critical care. Approximately 10% of the attendees come from Europe, South America, Asia and Africa.
The AAST Annual Meeting consists of 20 minute paper presentations, two master surgeon lectures, panel presentations, quickshots, two special addresses: President's Address and Fitts Orator, poster session and networking time. CME credits range between 21 and 26. 12 lunch session (six on each day) are optional. The preliminary program is usually available by mid-June.