Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It is an incredible honor to serve as President of the Society of University Surgeons (SUS), an organization that has long stood at the forefront of academic surgery. I am humbled to follow a legacy of exceptional leaders and energized by the opportunity to help shape the Society’s future in partnership with our dedicated membership.
The SUS remains committed to advancing academic surgery through innovation, scientific discovery, education, and mentorship. In this rapidly evolving landscape, our mission is more relevant than ever. As we train and support the next generation of surgical leaders, our responsibility is not only to uphold excellence but to ensure our community reflects the full diversity and global reach of academic surgery today.
This year, my priorities as President will focus on several key areas:
- Modernizing Membership: Through the work of the Presidential Taskforce on Membership Criteria, we are critically re-examining how we define excellence in academic surgery—ensuring our criteria remain inclusive, contemporary, and aligned with our mission.
- Investing in Talent: We will continue to expand resources for mid-career academic surgeons, including mentorship opportunities, leadership development, and research support.
- Strengthening Global Engagement: One of my core goals is to extend the reach and visibility of SUS on the international stage. We are actively exploring strategic partnerships and increasing our presence at global academic meetings to position SUS as the leading international voice for academic surgery.
- Elevating the SUS Brand: By showcasing the accomplishments of our members and amplifying the Society’s influence in education, research, and surgical leadership, we aim to enhance the SUS brand both nationally and globally.
Our strength lies in the engagement of our members. I invite each of you to take part in this exciting journey—whether by mentoring future leaders, serving on a committee, contributing to our educational efforts, or attending the SUS Annual Meeting at the Academic Surgical Congress.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the Society. I look forward to working together as we build on our legacy, embrace new opportunities, and shape the future of academic surgery on a truly global scale.
Warm regards,
Danny Chu, MD, FACS, FAHA
President, Society of University Surgeons