Fellow
Surgeons who are fellows of the American College of Surgeons(or equivalent organization for International members) with clinical practice in Acute Care Surgery or any of its components
Which Membership is right for you?
Thank you for taking the time to consider membership in the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST)! Membership in the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma is based on demonstration of sustained commitment to Acute Care Surgery which includes Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Emergency General Surgery.
AAST currently has over 2,300 members within the United States and from 50 countries.
Membership applications are due July 1st of every calendar year.
Applications are reviewed by the AAST membership committee and selected applicants will be voted on during the AAST Annual Meeting. If you have any questions about the membership application, please click here to contact Jermica Smith.
Need help finding what membership category is right for you? Click here!
Contributing Scientist
Other physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and other allied health professionals.
International Fellow
International surgeons who are fellows of the American College of Surgeons (or equivalent organization for International members) with clinical practice in Acute Care Surgery or any of its components
Associate
Surgical residents, fellows, and attending surgeons within 7 years after the start of your first position
Fellow
To qualify, the following must be met:
- Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- Verified attendance at a past annual meeting of AAST
- Successful completion of an ACS Committee on Trauma ATLS Course
Membership applications will be assessed for leadership in relevant professional organizations, research productivity, educational involvement, and service to the community. Successful applicants may demonstrate commitment in any of the components of Acute Care surgery.
Associate
Associate membership is open to surgical residents, fellows, and attending surgeons within 7 years of completing training**. Applications will be reviewed for commitment to the field of Acute Care Surgery and sponsorship by a current AAST fellow (sponsorship letter required). Applicants will be required to submit an essay outlining their interest in the field and 2 letters of recommendation.
Participation as an Associate Fellow will be looked upon favorably by the membership committee in evaluating applications for AAST Fellows, but will not guarantee acceptance.
**After that time, the associate members are required to apply as an Active Fellow in AAST to remain a member of AAST.
International Fellow
To qualify, the following must be met:
- Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) or international equivalent
- Successful completion of an ACS Committee on Trauma ATLS Course
- Attendance at an AAST Annual Meeting either prior to applying or the year after being voted into membership
- Sponsorship by an AAST member, and one letter of recommendation by a doctor in the field of Acute Care Surgery
Membership applications will be assessed for leadership in relevant professional organizations, research productivity, educational involvement, and service to the community. Successful applicants may demonstrate commitment in any of the components of Acute Care Surgery. Examples of this commitment are noted below.
Contributing Scientist
To qualify, the following must be met:
- Verified attendance at a past annual meeting of AAST
Membership applications will be assessed for scholarly activity including research productivity and educational contributions as detailed below. Successful applicants may demonstrate commitment in any of the components of Acute Care surgery.
Scholarly Activity
- Publications in peer reviewed journals of scholarly work
- Grant funding to support research activities
- Local, Regional, and National, International CME presentations
- National or International Course director
- Publication of book chapters
- Textbook editor/co-editor
- Journal Editor/associate editor
- Editorial Board membership
- Mentorship of trainees
- Membership on NIH study section
AAST has provided a framework for bringing together those with interests in trauma and now emergency general surgery. This has led to lifelong friendships and the venue provided a time when we could get together. AAST also provided a place where the best of new information regarding trauma and EGS could be presented and discussed. It has also taken on becoming a great resource for information and studies (ex multi-institutional trials and now the support of WITS).
