Visiting Surgeon Program

---

The VA Chapter Visiting Surgeon Program aims to foster the exchange of ideas and expertise across institutions and surgeons in the Commonwealth of Virginia, help establish lasting collaborations in clinical care and research, and promote friendship and collegiality among surgeons in the state.

Participants in this program will visit a host institution for one to two days to learn about best practices in a surgical discipline, observe new technology or surgical methods, discuss shared experiences in a surgical specialty, or develop solutions for clinical challenges. Examples may include a surgeon visiting a well-running robotic surgery program seeking ideas for performance improvement at their home institution; learning from a high-volume trauma program on how to establish rib fixation or REBOA programs; or discussing and learning how another institution successfully improved the quality of care in a prior area of weakness.

Eligibility for Participation

Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) with at least five years of experience in clinical practice since completion of training are eligible. Participants have to be members in good standing of the VA ACS. 

Up to four visits per year will be supported by the VA Chapter. Participants in the VSP are expected to provide a brief report about their experience, and VSP participants will be given the opportunity to give a brief presentation about their experience at the annual VA Chapter meeting. The VA Chapter VSP acts as facilitator and promoter; it does not provide funding and is not liable any adverse events visiting surgeon or host institutions may incur.

Join the Visiting Surgeon Program!

• Become a Host Institution/Surgeon! 
• Apply to be visiting surgeon! 

Questions? Email Susan McConnell at smcconnell@ramdocs.org for more information.