Message from the EAST President
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
A. Britton Christmas, MD, FACS
President, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma
Why EAST?
Dear Colleagues,
The answer to this seemingly rhetorical question lies within the mission statement for this great organization: “EAST is a scientific organization providing leadership and development for young surgeons active in the care of the injured patient through interdisciplinary collaboration, scholarship, and fellowship.” For most of us, 2020 has challenged our lives, both personally and professionally, beyond what many of us would have ever imagined during such a short time span. However, we must recognize that from adversity arises opportunity. Since its inception, EAST has been a voice for young surgeons and many other trauma care providers. As an organization, EAST remains committed to its five strategic goals (leadership, development, scholarship, fellowship, and collaboration) and a focus on enabling future generations to meet the many challenges of our profession.
During these difficult times, never has the need for leadership and collaboration within our discipline and our communities been so great. For many of us, myself included, the EAST community has been, and always will be, a “safe place” to visit with colleagues and seek support and mentorship. In many ways, while we are all struggling during this time, we must always know that our EAST colleagues will be there for us. Specifically, I would like to formally acknowledge the tremendous effort and work products put forth by the EAST Equity, Quality, and Inclusion in Trauma Surgery Practice Ad Hoc Task Force under the leadership of Dr. Tanya Zakrison and Dr. Bellal Joseph and Dr. Brian Williams who served as co-chair of the ad hoc task force at its inception. For our members, know that when we speak, we speak together as advocates not only for those we serve but also those who serve alongside us as friends and colleagues.
