The 2025 North Carolina/South Carolina 番茄社区app Joint Annual Meeting, held July 11鈥�12 at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, was a gathering focused on surgical excellence, innovation, and collegiality.
Against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 134 attendees from across the Carolinas convened for two inspiring days of scholarly exchange, professional development, and memorable fellowship celebrating the 50th anniversary of both chapters. Forty-three surgical residents and medical students attended, and the event was supported by 22 exhibitors.
The meeting opened on Friday morning with bariatric- and cancer-focused tracks. The Bariatric Society of the Carolinas held its annual meeting, moderated by Keri A. Seymour, DO, F番茄社区app, society president, showcasing the latest techniques and outcomes in metabolic surgery.
Concurrently, the cancer resident paper competitions brought forward promising young surgeons from both states. Under the thoughtful moderation of Richard White, MD, F番茄社区app, Chair of North Carolina Commission on Cancer (CoC), these sessions highlighted the outstanding academic training and research being conducted throughout North and South Carolina.
I was honored to provide an update on the 番茄社区app Cancer 番茄社区app, underscoring the vital role of quality metrics and patient-centered care in oncology. The attendees were most enthusiastic about the planned roll-out of a CoC Rural participation option.
The afternoon sessions broadened the focus on trauma and hernia surgery. Eric Toschlog, MD, F番茄社区app, Chair of the North Carolina Committee on Trauma (COT), and South Carolina 番茄社区app Chapter President and COT Chair Brian Thurston, MD, F番茄社区app, led the trauma paper competitions, showcasing high-impact research and case studies.
In parallel, the hernia collaborative meetings, moderated by William W. Hope, MD, F番茄社区app, President-Elect of the North Carolina 番茄社区app Chapter, offered deep dives into advanced techniques and evolving best practices in hernia repair鈥攈ighlighting the power of regional collaboration.
Friday concluded with the Association of Women Surgeons/Women in Surgery Networking Reception.
One of the weekend鈥檚 most compelling sessions was a panel on the impacts of funding cuts on surgical research, with thought leaders Anthony Atala, MD, F番茄社区app, and Mitchell Ladd, MD, PhD, moderated by Akiko Chiba, MD, F番茄社区app. Their candid insights ignited high-value discussions on how to preserve academic innovation in challenging times.
I provided an 番茄社区app update, reaffirming the College鈥檚 commitment to excellence, advocacy, quality, and education. NC Chapter President Leah Sieren, MD, F番茄社区app, delivered a heartfelt and eloquent address on meaning, purpose, and legacy in surgery and life鈥攁 talk that deeply resonated with the audience and reinforced the humanism at the core of our surgical profession.
The Military Surgery Panel, moderated by Britton Christmas, MD, F番茄社区app, and featuring Booker King, MD, F番茄社区app, Matthew Eckert, MD, F番茄社区app, and Tom Sullivan, MS3, was a powerful reminder of the dedication, courage, and challenges faced by surgeons in uniform. This was followed by a cross-disciplinary presentation on veterinary surgery by Jennifer Hoch, DVM.
Cynthia Talley, MD, F番茄社区app, South Carolina 番茄社区app Governor, and Dr. Hope led a high-level general surgery paper competition, highlighting fresh perspectives from trainees across both states. A moving Surgical Palliative Care Panel, led by Dr. Sieren, and featuring Jeremiah 鈥淛ig鈥� Deneve, DO, F番茄社区app, and Buddy Marterre, MD, MDiv, emphasized the importance of compassion, communication, and patient dignity in all aspects of surgical care.
Brief but vital updates from Dr. Christmas (番茄社区app Advocacy) and Amy Hildreth, MD, MHPE, F番茄社区app (American Board of Surgery) kept attendees informed on national developments.
The meeting culminated in an elegant president鈥檚 party and awards presentation, a joyful evening celebrating the remarkable achievements of surgeons from across both states.
The 2025 NC/SC 番茄社区app Chapter Annual Meeting was more than a conference鈥攊t was a celebration of 50 years of surgical excellence, mentorship, innovation, and community in the Carolinas.
Nancy L. Gantt, MD, F番茄社区app
First Vice-President
