News and Updates
April 2012
ACS patient education materials for hernia patients receive support from Ethicon Inc.
While hernia repair is one of the more common surgical procedures performed in the United States, there has been a lack of patient education materials that provide patients with the key elements they need to make an informed choice about undergoing the procedure. However an educational grant from Ethicon Inc. to the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Foundation is now supporting the Division of Education Surgical Patient Education program in the development and evaluation of a comprehensive education program for patients who are considering a hernia repair operation.
The “Education for a Better Recovery” hernia repair series will consist of four brochures, addressing inguinal/ femoral, ventral, umbilical, and pediatric hernias. Each brochure will include images and outcome comparisons of both open and laparoscopic procedures, as well as information on the risks and recovery considerations that patients should take into account before consenting to undergo the operation. The grant will support production of print brochures and development of electronic educational materials.
Developed by the Division of Education, Surgical Patient Education program, these enduring materials will be designed to meet guidelines for health literacy, ACS guidelines for informed consent, and surgical safety guidelines of the Joint Commission for their Surgery Speak Up Safety Initiative.
The materials will be distributed directly to surgeons and be placed on the websites of the American College of Surgeons and the collaborating organizations for maximum access by patients, families, surgeons, and nurses. Individual surgeons and practice setting will also be able to place the hernia repair links on their websites to support them in meeting CMS Meaningful Use criteria. The grant will also support program evaluation by both patients and surgeons as well as presentation of the outcomes.
“Ethicon’s grant advances the College’s efforts to develop and evaluate patient education materials designed to guide patients in their decisions and empower them with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in their surgical care and continued recovery upon discharge,” said Thomas R. Russell MD, FACS, Chair, American College of Surgeons Foundation. “Ethicon’s support of patient education is greatly appreciated as it allows the College to expand its services to surgeons and patients through a science-based, efficiently delivered and cost effective program.”
Further information on the Division of Education’s Surgical Patient Education program can be found at http://www.facs.org/patienteducation/index.html.
March 2012
Coloplast Grant to Fund New Controlled Patient Education Study for Ostomy Patients
The American College of Surgeons Surgical Patient Education Program (Division of Education) will conduct a controlled, multisite study to determine the effectiveness of a home skills ostomy kit for patients to use once they are discharged from the hospital. Coloplast Corp. will fund the controlled study, which will feature a kit that provides ostomy patients with the knowledge and opportunity to practice the skills for effective home care following their operations.
“Education is a crucial need for people who are planning ostomy surgery," said Ed Veome, Coloplast vice president, marketing. "Coloplast is extremely excited to continue our partnership with the American College of Surgeons to help new ostomates better understand the clinical and lifestyle changes related to ostomy surgery. The ACS kits help nurses and hospitals extend patient reach throughout the care continuum and improve the overall patient experience.”
An earlier educational grant from Coloplast, supported the supplies, printing, and distribution of more than 30,000 home skills kits. Each kit contains a simple ostomy simulator, sample pouches, measurement guide, scissors, instruction booklet with images to guide each step of skill acquisition, a DVD with demonstration of each skill, and a skills checklist, as well as a list of additional resources and support groups. An evaluation form is also included in each kit.
"Contributions from Coloplast and other donors provide essential resources for the American College of Surgeons as it furthers its commitment to patient safety and patient education through programs like the home care skills kit for ostomy patients,” said Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS, Chair of the American College of Surgeons Foundation. "We truly appreciate Coloplast’s continuing support; it is a shining example of how philanthropy is making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and their health care providers every day."
Patients and surgical professionals may order the ostomy home skills kit online through the American College of Surgeons website. The educational content of the kit is also available on the ACS website.
February 2012
2011 end-of-year appeal raises over $100,000
Thanks to the generous support from both long-term and new donors, the ACS Foundation raised more than $100,000 during its end-of-year fundraising appeal. Although the College has many diversified funding sources, the philanthropic support that it receives from the Foundation provides a “margin of excellence,” enhancing the quality and scope of programs that the College offers.
Guests enjoyed networking at the 2011 Fellows Leadership Society Luncheon |
Through this appeal, donors directed their contributions to various initiatives like scholarships and trauma education. But the majority of donors gave to the Sustaining Fund, which supports the area of greatest need for the College. This fund boosts the financial strength of ACS and enables the College to respond to new opportunities or unanticipated needs.
Whichever fund they chose, all donors are helping the College achieve its mission of improving the care of the surgical patient and safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment—for today’s surgeons and for future generations of surgeons.
Donors giving $1,000 or more each year are also invited to the annual Fellows Leadership Society Luncheon, held during Clinical Congress. If you missed the year-end appeal and would like to make your own contribution, you may donate online by clicking here or by calling the Foundation at 312-202-5338.
January 2012
Former Foundation Board Member Selected as First Emeritus Counselor
Denton Cooley, MD, FACS, who served on the Foundation Board of Directors for many years, respectfully declined re-election, but has accepted the position of Emeritus Counselor. In this role, Dr. Cooley’s charge will be to provide his experience and counsel to the Foundation Board and staff. On the request of the Board Chair, Dr. Cooley and future Counselors will recommend communication and solicitation opportunities for emeritus and retired Fellows.
The Foundation is grateful to Dr. Cooley for his continued commitment to the ACS Foundation and its efforts to provide philanthropic support for the College’s programs.
 Frederick W. Plugge, IV, MD, FACS |
Planned Gift Continues Legacy of Giving Back
The ACS Foundation is pleased to announce that it has received a generous contribution from the estate of Frederick W. Plugge, IV, MD, FACS, of Maryland. Dr. Plugge spent most of his professional career serving his country as an Air Force medical officer, rising to the rank of Brigadier General and chief of the general surgery service at Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
Dr. Plugge became a Fellow of the ACS in 1965 and served on the Board of Governors from 1990 to 1993. Soon after, he notified the ACS Foundation that a portion of his estate would be designated to the College. Dr. Plugge was particularly interested in the College’s efforts in research, scholarships and fellowships.
By leaving the College a certain percentage of his assets through his will, Dr. Plugge ensured that he would be financially secure during his lifetime, while contributing to the College’s work in the future. The ACS is tremendously grateful for Dr. Plugge’s commitment to the surgical profession and remarkable philanthropy.Brennan Fund Reaches Goal
The College’s International Relations Committee (IRC), in partnership with the ACS Foundation, is pleased to announce that its recently launched scholarship initiative in honor of Murray F. Brennan, MD, FACS, has exceeded its fundraising goal of $250,000 for a current total of more than $258,000.
The following IRC members made up the Steering Committee that was tasked with ensuring the success of this fundraising campaign: Fabrizio Michelassi, MD ,FACS; Valerie W. Rusch, MD, FACS; David P. Jaques, MD, FACS; and Alfred M. Cohen, MD, FACS.
An esteemed Fellow of the ACS since 1977, Dr. Brennan has been an advocate for international engagement as a member of the IRC. The Murray F. Brennan, MD, FACS, International Guest Scholarship will recognize its namesake for his enduring collegiality and the value of investing in quality patient care wherever surgeons practice.
The ACS International Guest Scholarships Program (IGS) recognizes international surgeons based on their academic potential. Numerous alumni of the IGS program now hold leadership positions in their departments or divisions.
Over 100 individuals honored Dr. Brennan’s commitment to his patients and profession by making generous contributions to this scholarship fund. The demographic of these donors speaks to the esteem in which Dr. Brennan is held: professional peers and colleagues, young surgeons mentored by Dr. Brennan, and grateful patients and their families.
Revised May 15, 2012