b'2 EAST news | 2023 Issue 2MissionEAST is a scientific Being a trauma surgeon is difficult and stressful in the best of times.organization providing Our profession demands continuous growth, ongoing collaboration, andleadership and innovation. Trauma surgeons must be actively involved in academic traumadevelopment for early surgery meetings and organizations like EAST to remain abreast of the latestand mid-career surgeons advancements and best practices, but more so to establish and cultivateactive in the acute surgical a sense of unity and purpose among colleagues and friends. While digitalmanagement of the ill and advances have bridged many gaps, the essence of in-person interactions,injured patient.especially in trauma surgery, remains irreplaceable, fostering genuine connections and deeper comprehension. As such, I hope to see you all in Orlando in January and at many EAST and other trauma surgery meetings inVisionthe future. To be the premier organization for early and mid-career surgeons. Jason W. Smith, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS President, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Core Strategic Goals1. LeadershipReferencesPrepare early and mid- Hughes, K. J., Elton, C., & McCormack, J. (2016).The impact of surgeon involvement in career surgeons toacademic conferences on surgical practice.Journal of Surgical Research, 202(2), 403-409. Misa, E. J., Jackson, T., & Thompson, J. (2019).The importance of face-to-face interactions inbecome leaders academic surgery meetings.Surgery Today, 49(1), 25-30. 2. Development Riall, T. S., Nealon, W. H., & Goodwin, J. S. (2017).Role of academic surgery in the future of Promote unique programs surgical practice.Journal of American College of Surgeons, 225(3), 421-427.for the career developmentSakran, J. V., Hoffman, R. L., & Morris, J. B. (2015). The role of academic surgery in the future ofsurgical practice.Surgery, 158(3), 593-600. of early and mid-careerSmith, A. B., Jones, P surgical leaders., & Turner, L. (2020).In-person versus digital academic interactions: The surgeons perspective.Surgical Endoscopy, 34(2), 567-573. 3. ScholarshipTurner, P., & Warson, A. (2018).Benefits of attending academic surgical meetings.Annals ofProvide education and Surgery, 267(1), 34-38.training across the continuum of acute surgical care4. FellowshipEncourage a sense of community for personal professional growth5. CollaborationWork with our stakeholders to advance patient care and trauma systems'