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.
The AAST’s Inclusion and Diversity Ad Hoc Committee is hosting an essay contest for medical students and residents as a part of this year’s 79th Annual Meeting of AAST & Clinical Congress of Acute Care Surgery. The winners (one student and one resident) of this contest will have their essays published in Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open.
The writing prompt for the essay is, “As someone who is a member of a group that is under-represented in medicine, how do you see the AAST benefiting you? Why do you believe diversity, inclusion, and equity matter in acute care surgery?”
There is a 1000 word limit to this essay. Please send your final document in Microsoft Word format to rsass@aast.org by Friday, August 14th.