SUS Foundation Ballot

Personal Statement: I would like to nominate myself for a three-year term as the President of the Society of University Surgeons. I have been serving in the interim role over the past year, and would like to extend that with a formal term. I have now been involved with the SUS for about 15 years and have served in a number of roles including committee memberships, Publications Committee Chair and President. I am dedicated to serving the SUS in any way to help it continue to grow. I continually look for new ways to innovate with our fundraising, and I look forward to a chance to serve the foundation for another three years.

Personal statement: I, humbly, would like to submit my name for consideration for the position of President of the SUS Foundation Board of Directors. Although I have not been a member of this Board in the past, I have significant experience with philanthropic organizations which I feel will benefit the SUS Foundation and better allow it to advance the mission of the SUS. My interest in philanthropic work began during an American College of Surgeons where I heard Dr. Murray Brennan speak of charity, the need to cultivate giving, and his connection to the ACS Foundation. It was remarkable to see an individual of such achievement speak of the fulfillment he received by giving. Since then, my time on the ACS Foundation, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Foundation, and the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Development Committee has reinforced the view that was introduced by Dr. Brennan; however, that time has also demonstrated the difficulty in raising money. After all,most of our organizations desire to promote the welfare of others but, inherently, are competing with one another for donors thus limiting their efficacy. Strategies that seem to yield success revolve around the ability of organizations and their philanthropic arms to connect deeply to their membership, other organizations, and with industry. Creating a sense of family and shared goals for charitable work develops a sense of belonging to which individuals are more receptive to contributing. For younger members, developing a sense of giving and then reinforcing the euphoria of giving is essential to establishing lifelong contributors – regardless of the amount that they initially contribute. For more experienced members, demonstrating value and a commitment to our shared goals will encourage individuals to contribute. Particularly, sharing stories of success for grant recipients and others who have benefitted from the work of the SUS Foundation will help members to initially give and then return to donate again. This is particularly difficult for the SUS, which is a more selective institution, that competes with the ACS, the Association of Academic Surgeons, and subspecialty societies for acts of altruism. As such, I think that it is important for the SUS Foundation to emphasize the work that it does to assist mid-career individuals and leaders: share descriptions of helping members with bridge grants and the success that those individuals subsequently had and emphasize the role of the Society in helping to develop the leaders of American Surgery. In addition, the Foundation must cultivate relationships with other organizations and industry to assist with the missions of the SUS. Although Karl Storz has generously given in the past, the Foundation should approach other organizations and charities to help increase its financial strength. Here, the foundation can also leverage its goals of assisting mid-career individuals and future leaders to gaining the assistance of industry,governmental, and individual donor partners. Overall, my past experiences position me to be able to help the SUS Foundation in a very competitive financial environment. It is my hope to build upon the legacy that Drs. Chung and Yang have established and cultivated and help raise interest in philanthropy so that the SUS can further fulfill its goals and missions. Thank you for your consideration.