The mission of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Operation Giving Back (OGB) program is to leverage the passion, skills, and humanitarian ethos of the surgical community to effectively meet the needs of medically underserved populations. OGB is sponsoring or supporting the following sessions and activities at this year’s Clinical Congress. Surgeons at all stages of their career and in all specialties are encouraged to participate in these sessions.
Monday
9:45–11:15 am
Humanitarian Surgical Outreach at Home and Abroad: Reports of the 2017 Volunteerism and Humanitarian Award Winners
San Diego Convention Center, 1AB
This plenary session showcases the 2017 Volunteerism and Humanitarian Award winners who will share insights into their motivation, accomplishments, and lessons learned related to humanitarian surgical outreach.
11:30 am–1:00 pm
Global Surgery/Humanitarian Outreach I
San Diego Convention Center, 6D
This is a scientific forum session dedicated to global surgery and humanitarian outreach.
1:15–2:15 pm
Operation Giving Back (Meet the Expert)
San Diego Convention Center, 25A
This Meet-the-Expert session will feature Girma Tefera, MD, FACS, OGB Medical Director.
3:00–5:00 pm
Global Surgery Leaders Meeting
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Grand Hall B
The primary goal of this meeting is to create a platform for future collaboration between individual programs and OGB. Global Surgery Leaders interested in learning more about OGB and how to get involved are encouraged to attend.
6:00–7:30 pm
OGB Reception
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Seaport Ballroom A, Seaport Tower
Tuesday
11:30 am–1:00 pm
Resident Interest Group Meeting
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Seaport Ballroom BC, Seaport Tower
The primary goal of this meeting is to create a platform for future collaboration between OGB and residents. Residents interested in learning more about OGB and how to get involved are encouraged to attend.
1:00–3:00 pm
Volunteer While You Are Here—Feeding San Diego (registration required)
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Grand Hall D, Lobby Level
The ACS is teaming up with Feeding San Diego to provide an opportunity for Clinical Congress attendees and guests to give back to the community through the Feeding San Diego BackPack Program.
2:30–5:45 pm
Ethics Colloquium: Ethical Challenges of Global Surgery
San Diego Convention Center, 14AB
Panelists will engage in a pro and con discussion of a series of four cases to explore central ethical issues in global surgery.
2:30–4:00 pm
Current State of Health Care Disparities in Surgery and Solutions for the Future
San Diego Convention Center, 5AB
This 90-minute session will feature some of the most prominent voices in the discussion of health care disparities in the U.S.
Wednesday
8:00–9:00 am
Distinguished Lecture of the International Society of Surgery
San Diego Convention Center, 5AB
Established in 1990 and endowed by the U.S. Chapter of the International Society of Surgery to recognize the Society’s worthwhile activities by honoring distinguished international surgeons.
8:00–9:30 am
Global Engagement
San Diego Convention Center, 6E
The Global Engagement Panel Session will report on the strategic direction of the ACS in global and domestic volunteerism.
9:45–11:15 am
Global Surgery/ Humanitarian Outreach II
San Diego Convention Center, 1AB, Upper Level
This Scientific Forum session is dedicated to global surgery and humanitarian outreach.
2:30–4:00 pm
Global Surgery/ Humanitarian Outreach III
San Diego Convention Center, 6E, Upper Level
This Scientific Forum session is dedicated to global surgery and humanitarian outreach.