Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

AAST mission of inclusion and diversity is accomplished through the following:

• Creating, welcoming, and actively promoting diversity within its membership and leadership
• Ensuring transparency and equity in all decisions related to scholarships, membership, and leadership positions
• Actively promoting diversity in programming and participation in the Annual Scientific Meeting
• Initiation of educational efforts aimed at eliminating health inequities and increasing cultural awareness within the profession of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
• Advocating for issues that affect disadvantaged patient populations
• Striving to dismantle systemic inequities that influence the work of the organization
• Providing career development opportunities for surgeon scholars and leaders from diverse backgrounds
• Further developing diverse representation on the editorial boards of both AAST journals, TSACO and JTACS. 

Updated President's Statement on Racism

AAST Statement on Racism

As surgeons, our duty by oath is to care for all who are sick and injured. Racism and discrimination are forms of structural violence and are public health issues that are especially harmful to our Black, Brown, AAPI, and LGTBQ communities. AAST stands against any and all forms of racism, violence, intolerance, and discrimination. We will continue to support our patients, fellows, and associates by using our voices to amplify and support the health and safety of all races, ethnicities, classifications, and self-identification. We encourage you to listen to your patients, fellow members, and coworkers' experiences during this time and to continue to offer them your support. As an organization, we call on our members to continue our mission to improve the quality of care for EVERY patient by advancing our field through compassion, discovery, and dedication.

David A. Spain, MD, FACS

DEI Grant Announcement

CONGRATULATIONS to the AAST’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee as one of the awarded recipients for the 2021-2022 inaugural Board of Regents Innovative Grant for DEI & Anti-Racism on behalf of the American College of Surgeons.  Under the exemplary leadership of Dr. Karen Brasel, the $50,000 grant awarded by the College will be matched by the AAST and the co-sponsoring societies including the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma [ACS COT] and the Pediatric Trauma Society [PTS].  The specific aims of the grant include the following:

Aim 1: Increase interest of racially/ethnically under-represented middle and high school students in surgery, trauma, and medicine by providing early exposure and hands-on experience

Aim 2: Establish a strategic mentoring and professional development program for racially/ethnically under-represented middle and high school students interested in surgery, trauma, and medicine

Aim 3: Develop a pipeline of under-represented racial/ethnic minority students interested in surgery, trauma and medicine

DEI Call for Volunteers

The AAST’S DEI Committee is seeking volunteers to be a part of this committee to help aide, drive, and execute important upcoming projects including the ACS Board of Regents Innovative Grant for DEI & Anti-Racism. The sub-committees that members can volunteer for include the below. If you would like to be a committee member but do not have a preference on which sub-committee you are placed on, that is fine.

• Communication and Education
  • Liaison to the Communication committee
  • Developing content for Cutting Edge, Tools for Acute Care Surgery (TACS), and social media
  • DEI Essay Contest for medical students, residents, and fellows
  • Virtual Grand Rounds- cultural complications
  • Submitting Program Proposals for the annual meeting
• Communication and Advocacy
  • Publicize DEI accomplishments- DEI committee, members, organization
  • Highlight/spotlight members from URM groups- cross post with SBAS, LSS, SAAS, AWS
  • Rapid communication response to DEI-related events
• Outreach
  • Seek outside grants, programs, etc. that can help aide in AAST’s DEI initiatives
  • *DEI Innovative grant (announcement after 11/2)
• Mentorship
  • Visiting Professorships- SBAS, LSS, SAAS
  • Outreach to other societies
  • Pathway to leadership formal mentorship program
• Research
  • Liaison to the MICT committee
  • Research demographics of the organization- membership and leadership
  • Creation of Speakers Resource List
  • DEI Research Grant/Scholarship (health disparities/health inequities) – Research and Education Committee

Please contact Sharon Gautschy at sgautschy@aast.org if you wish to be placed on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.