Mission Statement

 

“The Washington State Chapter, ACS seeks to engage Washington State surgeons in the activities of the American College of Surgeons.”

 

History

 

In 1913, the American College of Surgeons was founded, two years after the Seattle Surgical Society. In 1951, the Washington Chapter of the American College of Surgeons was established. Dr. Joel Baker was the first Chapter President. Subsequently, Dr. Baker became President of the American College of Surgeons (1970). Dr. Herbert Coe, Governor at the time of the founding of the Washington Chapter, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award of the American College of Surgeons in 1967.

Dr. Henry N. Harkins, first Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, was a very active member of the Washington Chapter. Dr. Harkins' special interest was postgraduate education for the Surgical Resident Fellow, as well as members of the practicing community. He encouraged doctors in training to present scientific papers at the Annual Chapter Meeting. Now a full scientific session is devoted to presentation by residents and fellows. A special award for the outstanding paper has been established in Dr. Harkins' honor. The Annual Meeting is held in mid-June at various resorts throughout the Northwest.

The objectives of the Washington Chapter are as follows:

• To foster a close fellowship among surgeons in the area through a common interest in the Chapter and in the activities of the College.
   

• To provide for surgeons in all the various surgical specialties a common meeting ground where each may learn from the others.
   

• To strive to obtain the highest standards of patient care in their communities.
   

• To provide opportunities to further the education of Fellows, members of the Candidate Group, hospital house staffs and all practicing physicians in the area.
   

• To devote particular attention to the younger surgeons by providing a forum for discussion of their professional and ethical problems and to orient them toward Fellowship in the College.
   

• To cooperate with local trauma committees of the College by fostering programs concerned with traffic safety, emergency care of the injured and civil defense and by working with other citizens groups interested in these fields.
   

• To give local support to College programs in control of cancer and to cancer clinics.
   

• To maintain close working relationships with the local Governors of the College. The local Governors should be ex-officio members of the Council of each Chapter. - To cooperate with local medical societies and with worthy civic movements concerned with the health of the citizens. Membership in the Washington Chapter is open to all Fellows of the College residing in the area.

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