Message from the EAST President
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Dear Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) Members,
It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I serve the role of EAST President. Established in 1986 with EAST’s origin story beautifully outlined by Past-President Dr. Rotondo this January during our Oriens Keynote Address, I am reminded of our foundational mission, which is to advance the acute surgical management of the ill and injured patient through leadership, education, and collaboration. Transforming since our early years while staying true our mission, EAST is one of the largest acute care surgery associations in the world! We are represented by nearly 4,000 professionals across advanced practice providers, medical students, nurses, pharmacists, residents, surgeons and more.
I remember joining my first EAST Annual Scientific Assembly twenty years ago, being introduced to many of its leaders and participating even as a trainee. Although our scope has dramatically expanded beyond trauma into burn, critical care, emergency general surgery, global surgery, injury prevention, military, rural & community care, robotics, and quality, I am struck by seeing the same dedication and inclusivity today as I saw then. EAST bonds over an unwavering commitment to advancing science, fostering relationships, and building careers.
While we celebrate our growth and connectivity, we must also acknowledge the stark realities of our current healthcare environment. Our members are practicing in a time of unprecedented system strain, workforce shortages, evolving global conflicts, and the increasing complexity of patient care. I am dedicated to ensuring EAST provides not just clinical guidance, but a professional sanctuary, a place where we foster the resilience and leadership needed to navigate these systemic challenges together.
Throughout the year, there are so many ways to stay engaged. EAST carries robust educational resources, including our flagship Practice Management Guidelines, as well as our Careercasts, Traumacasts, Monthly Literature Reviews, and the In the Arena podcasts, all designed to enhance clinical decision-making and professional growth among our members. Not only is this content accessible year-round, often you, our hard-working EAST members are creating and iteratively revising these works to remain state-of-the-art.
Knowing we just wrapped up our highly successful and well-attended 39th EAST Annual Scientific Assembly in Atlanta, we are already looking ahead to planning our 40th EAST Annual Scientific Assembly in New Orleans. I encourage every member to participate actively and consider submitting your great ideas starting this April, whether by writing abstracts, crafting workshops, designing educational sessions, presenting guidelines, and beyond. Please contribute to the fabric of our association in the ways that inspire you and inform our community.
As your President, I am committed to amplifying the voices of our diverse and growing membership. We will continue to support career development through scholarships, awards, and committees that address emerging challenges in acute care surgery and related disciplines. Your involvement is vital, so please help honor our history by boldly innovating for the future. Let’s ensure our EAST family remains the premier home for the next generation of leaders. Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility. I look forward to a year of shared successes and meaningful impact.
Mayur B. Patel, MD, MPH, FACS
President, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma