b'2 EAST news | 2023 Issue 1MissionEAST is a scientific mutually beneficial to surgical organizations. Financially, many regional andorganization providing national organizations have found themselves in a hard situation over theleadership and past few years due to the pandemic. Additionally, declining CME funding,development for early reduction in travel support, and rising organizational expenses have erodedand mid-career surgeons the foundation of many surgical organizations who traditionally carry overactive in the acute surgical minimal financial reserves. Often, corporate sponsorship at annual scientificmanagement of the ill and meetings has allowed these academic organizations to continue theirinjured patient.tripartite missions of fellowship, education, and research. Also, by mutual benefit, the membership of surgical organizations around the country has benefited from having corporate partners demonstrating new technologyVisionthat often enhances patient care. This occurs in an environment that is low-pressure, collegial, and allows for free discussion between organizations andTo be the premier surgical practices that may have already utilized the available technology. organization for early and Partnership and collaboration, however, must have boundaries. Scientificmid-career surgeons.organizations and scientific journals cannot allow corporate entities any influence over the dissemination, discussion, or presentation of data. Sponsorship cannot be allowed to censor scientific programs andCore Strategic Goalssponsorship cannot be allowed to buy results. I know almost all my colleagues possess the professional integrity to do the right thing. They1. Leadershipprovide impartial results; they stand for academic freedom and for the freePrepare early and mid-expression of research and ideas. It is imperative that organizations supportcareer surgeons tothem (as our colleagues recently did) when undue pressure is brought tobecome leadersbear.It is never an easy choice, but it is the right choice, and at its heart it is the decision of the organization that defines its integrity.2. DevelopmentSo, when you fill out your annual conflict of interest form at EAST orPromote unique programs your own institution, take a minute to ask yourself, what does this formfor the career development represent? I also encourage you to review your own data on of early and mid-career https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov and be transparent about it.surgical leadersI ask you to remember that a lack of transparency (even a minor one) results3. Scholarshipin distrust and a deep sense of insecurity. Finally, remember and honor theProvide education and oath and code that we all ascribed to once upon a time: training across the continuum of acute Into whatever homes I go, I will enter them for the benefit of thesurgical caresick, avoiding any voluntary act of impropriety or corruption 4. FellowshipBest Wishes, and I am looking forward to a great year moving EAST forward.Encourage a sense of community for personal professional growth5. CollaborationJason W. Smith, MD, PhD, MBA, FACSWork with our stakeholders President, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma to advance patient care and trauma systems'