Update From the Chair,
I'm getting (really) excited for the AAST annual meeting, and I hope you are too! This is always one of the best chances we have all year to connect face-to-face, swap ideas, network big time, and reconnect with colleagues from across the field. Whether you're a longtime Associate Member or attending for the first time, there's no substitute for the conversations that happen when we're all in the same room (...or bar).
This year brings something new: for the first time ever, our business meeting will be followed immediately by in-person Associate Member committee meetings, giving each committee dedicated time and space to dig into real discussion together. It's a great opportunity to see how your committee's work comes together and to get more involved if you've been on the fence. And of course, the day wouldn't be complete without our annual happy hour afterward- always the main event of the season :) (#iykyk), and a perfect way to unwind and catch up with everyone in a more relaxed (and fed) setting.
If you supervise or work alongside residents, please encourage them to attend. This meeting is packed with opportunities to network, learn, and get plugged into committee work, and it's one of the best ways for them to start building relationships early in their careers. I can't wait to see you all there!
Brittany Bankhead, MD
AAST Associate Member Chair
Expand to Explore
Communications Committee Update
Communications Committee
This quarter we made strides in organizing parts of the website including archived educational material (coming soon!) and have a system for cross-posting across platforms in place. We’re still working out some kinks (looking for an alternative to links on Instagram because they don’t allow them to be ‘clickable’, working on scheduling posts in a business-only WhatsApp group through third party software) but we now have a much more robust presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We’re gearing up for another round of invitations to participate in our Membership Monday promotion/networking initiative, although you don’t have to wait for an invite, just send us an email ([email protected]) and we’ll send you a template to fill out. We’re also bringing you this newsletter! Next quarter, look out for further improvements of the website and a new educational social media “tik-tok” style series “Pass the Hat!”
Education Committee Update
Education Committee
The AAST Associate Membership Education Committee has been hard at work developing high-quality educational programming to support the professional, academic, and career development of AAST members. This year’s Career Catalyst theme is “Lifelong Learner,” recognizing that as trauma surgeons, we must continually adapt, grow, and evolve alongside the rapidly changing landscape of surgery and medicine. Our AAST Career Catalyst session, “No Surgeons Left Behind: Preparing for the Future and Staying Relevant,” will explore how we can embrace change, develop new skills, and remain relevant throughout every stage of our careers—coming this fall, so stay tuned for more details!
Scholarships/Award Committee Update
Scholarships/Award Committee
The AAST Scholarship, Awards, and Development Committee is excited to offer several opportunities at this year's Annual Meeting designed to support trainees and engage members. Our new Fellowship Fair will connect fellowship applicants with Program Directors in an informal setting to facilitate networking, answer questions, and help applicants explore training opportunities. Be sure to participate in our popular Golden Ticket Fundraiser, where attendees can purchase an AAST-themed swag bag filled with exclusive merchandise, a chocolate bar, and the chance to discover a hidden Golden Ticket redeemable for exciting prizes. In addition, the committee continues to support academic success through the TSACO Paper Mentorship Program, which pairs authors with experienced mentors to strengthen manuscript submissions and provides funding through the Associate Member (AM) Committee to help offset publication submission fees.
Research Committee Update
Research Committee Update
The Research Committee has been busy developing initiatives to support early-career investigators and strengthen the research pipeline.
At this year’s Annual Meeting, the Research Committee will present findings on Thursday morning from its latest manuscript, “The AAST Early-Career Academic Pipeline: Scholarly Output Among Associate Member Faculty and Alignment with AAST Research Priorities.” We hope these findings will spark discussion about the current state of research among junior investigators and highlight opportunities to strengthen mentorship, career development, and alignment with AAST research priorities.
The Annual Meeting will also feature the research course, “Sources and Practical Strategies for Funding Acute Care Surgery Research.” Designed specifically for trainees and early-career acute care surgeons, the course will provide practical strategies for building successful academic careers and transitioning toward independent research funding. In addition to didactic sessions, participants will take part in small-group mentoring, where they can discuss their research ideas, receive individualized feedback, and identify funding mechanisms that best align with their career goals.
Complimentary registration is available for the first 15 Associate Members who register using the code AASTCOUP. Members who have already registered for the Annual Meeting can update their registration by emailing [email protected].
There is much more in the works from the Research Committee. Stay tuned for additional initiatives and opportunities to support the next generation of acute care surgery researchers!
Engagement Committee Update
Engagement Committee
Get Involved: AAST Committee Volunteer Call Opens September 14
One of the best ways to become involved in AAST is through committee service. Whether your interests are research, education, scholarship, communication, military surgery, diversity and inclusion, or member engagement, committees provide valuable opportunities to collaborate with leaders in the field, build professional relationships, contribute to national initiatives, and develop as an academic surgeon.
The 2026 Annual Call for Committee Volunteers will be open September 14th–30th, 2026. We encourage all Associate Members to explore the available committees and submit an application for the areas that best align with their interests and career goals.
Committee appointments are made in two-year terms. If you are completing your current two-year appointment, we encourage you to apply for a different committee to broaden your experience, expand your professional network, and gain exposure to new areas of the organization. New Associate Members are especially encouraged to apply—committee service is an excellent way to begin building meaningful connections within AAST and to establish a pathway toward future leadership and AAST Fellowship.
Committee assignments will be finalized in mid-October, with new appointments beginning shortly thereafter.
We look forward to welcoming both new and returning volunteers as we continue building the next generation of AAST leaders.
TSACO Scholarships
TSACO Scholarships
TSACO scholarships are open every month! Submit your best papers for the opportunity to be published in this excellent peer reviewed journal, have your publication fee waived, and also have a one-on-one coaching session with a TSACO reviewer. Apply through the Associate Member homepage to take advantage of this amazing opportunity!
AAST Annual Meeting
AAST Annual Meeting
We’re so excited to see everyone at the annual meeting in Dallas!
Make sure you join us on September 17th at the business meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 for all the associate members, and happy hour at 6:30 to 7:30 for all current and prospective members.
Stop by the associate member booth throughout the meeting to meet members, or purchase AAST swag.
Communications Committee Update
This quarter we made strides in organizing parts of the website including archived educational material (coming soon!) and have a system for cross-posting across platforms in place.
Communications Committee Update
Communications Committee
This quarter we made strides in organizing parts of the website including archived educational material (coming soon!) and have a system for cross-posting across platforms in place. We’re still working out some kinks (looking for an alternative to links on Instagram because they don’t allow them to be ‘clickable’, working on scheduling posts in a business-only WhatsApp group through third party software) but we now have a much more robust presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We’re gearing up for another round of invitations to participate in our Membership Monday promotion/networking initiative, although you don’t have to wait for an invite, just send us an email ([email protected]) and we’ll send you a template to fill out. We’re also bringing you this newsletter! Next quarter, look out for further improvements of the website and a new educational social media “tik-tok” style series “Pass the Hat!”
Education Committee Update
The AAST Associate Membership Education Committee has been hard at work developing high-quality educational programming to support the professional, academic, and career development of AAST members.
Education Committee Update
Education Committee
The AAST Associate Membership Education Committee has been hard at work developing high-quality educational programming to support the professional, academic, and career development of AAST members. This year’s Career Catalyst theme is “Lifelong Learner,” recognizing that as trauma surgeons, we must continually adapt, grow, and evolve alongside the rapidly changing landscape of surgery and medicine. Our AAST Career Catalyst session, “No Surgeons Left Behind: Preparing for the Future and Staying Relevant,” will explore how we can embrace change, develop new skills, and remain relevant throughout every stage of our careers—coming this fall, so stay tuned for more details!
Scholarship Awards and Development Committee Update
The AAST Scholarship, Awards, and Development Committee is excited to offer several opportunities at this year's Annual Meeting designed to support trainees and engage members.
Scholarships/Award Committee Update
Scholarships/Award Committee
The AAST Scholarship, Awards, and Development Committee is excited to offer several opportunities at this year's Annual Meeting designed to support trainees and engage members. Our new Fellowship Fair will connect fellowship applicants with Program Directors in an informal setting to facilitate networking, answer questions, and help applicants explore training opportunities. Be sure to participate in our popular Golden Ticket Fundraiser, where attendees can purchase an AAST-themed swag bag filled with exclusive merchandise, a chocolate bar, and the chance to discover a hidden Golden Ticket redeemable for exciting prizes. In addition, the committee continues to support academic success through the TSACO Paper Mentorship Program, which pairs authors with experienced mentors to strengthen manuscript submissions and provides funding through the Associate Member (AM) Committee to help offset publication submission fees.
Research Committee Update
The Research Committee has been busy developing initiatives to support early-career investigators and strengthen the research pipeline.
Research Committee Update
Research Committee Update
The Research Committee has been busy developing initiatives to support early-career investigators and strengthen the research pipeline.
At this year’s Annual Meeting, the Research Committee will present findings on Thursday morning from its latest manuscript, “The AAST Early-Career Academic Pipeline: Scholarly Output Among Associate Member Faculty and Alignment with AAST Research Priorities.” We hope these findings will spark discussion about the current state of research among junior investigators and highlight opportunities to strengthen mentorship, career development, and alignment with AAST research priorities.
The Annual Meeting will also feature the research course, “Sources and Practical Strategies for Funding Acute Care Surgery Research.” Designed specifically for trainees and early-career acute care surgeons, the course will provide practical strategies for building successful academic careers and transitioning toward independent research funding. In addition to didactic sessions, participants will take part in small-group mentoring, where they can discuss their research ideas, receive individualized feedback, and identify funding mechanisms that best align with their career goals.
Complimentary registration is available for the first 15 Associate Members who register using the code AASTCOUP. Members who have already registered for the Annual Meeting can update their registration by emailing [email protected].
There is much more in the works from the Research Committee. Stay tuned for additional initiatives and opportunities to support the next generation of acute care surgery researchers!
Engagement Committee
Get Involved: AAST Committee Volunteer Call Opens September 14! One of the best ways to become involved in AAST is through committee service.
Engagement Committee Update
Engagement Committee
Get Involved: AAST Committee Volunteer Call Opens September 14
One of the best ways to become involved in AAST is through committee service. Whether your interests are research, education, scholarship, communication, military surgery, diversity and inclusion, or member engagement, committees provide valuable opportunities to collaborate with leaders in the field, build professional relationships, contribute to national initiatives, and develop as an academic surgeon.
The 2026 Annual Call for Committee Volunteers will be open September 14th–30th, 2026. We encourage all Associate Members to explore the available committees and submit an application for the areas that best align with their interests and career goals.
Committee appointments are made in two-year terms. If you are completing your current two-year appointment, we encourage you to apply for a different committee to broaden your experience, expand your professional network, and gain exposure to new areas of the organization. New Associate Members are especially encouraged to apply—committee service is an excellent way to begin building meaningful connections within AAST and to establish a pathway toward future leadership and AAST Fellowship.
Committee assignments will be finalized in mid-October, with new appointments beginning shortly thereafter.
We look forward to welcoming both new and returning volunteers as we continue building the next generation of AAST leaders.
Other Information!
TSACO Scholarships
TSACO scholarships are open every month! Submit your best papers for the opportunity to be published in this excellent peer reviewed journal, have your publication fee waived, and also have a one-on-one coaching session with a TSACO reviewer. Apply through the Associate Member homepage to take advantage of this amazing opportunity!
AAST Annual Meeting
We’re so excited to see everyone at the annual meeting in Dallas!
Make sure you join us on September 17th at the business meeting from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM for all the associate members, and happy hour at 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM for all current and prospective members.
Stop by the associate member booth throughout the meeting to meet members, or purchase AAST swag.