Editor's Note

Jeffry T. Nahmias, MD

Spring is here, often referred to as the season of growth. In this spirit, the May Edition of Cutting Edge provides information that will help all of us grow as Acute Care Surgeons. This includes opportunities for professional development discussed by our esteemed President Dr. Kim Davis, to insights conveyed by Editor in Chief, Dr. Raul Coimbra about the newly implemented artificial intelligence (AI) detection system for the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. We also have an excellent feature article discussing a recent publication put forth by the American College of Surgeons Board of Regents related to specialty-specific workplace standards for surgeons. This edition truly has something for everyone!

— Jeffry T. Nahmias, MD

In This Issue

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AAST Logo

Research & Education Fund

Announcing a new AAST Sprint Grant

The AAST is pleased to announce two new Sprint Grants designed to accelerate multicenter studies that are high impact and practice changing. Awards of up to $30,000 each. Application period opens May 4th and closes June 15th.

Click Here to Learn More →
Kimberly A. Davis, MD, MBA

Executive Leadership

President's Note

Written by: Kimberly A. Davis, MD, MBA

Happy spring, or perhaps early summer, to all! The trees (and the pollen) are blooming on the East Coast. A note on the Leadership Academy, scholarship reviews, and looking ahead to Dallas in September.

Clay Cothren Burlew, MD

Executive Leadership

Secretary-Treasurer's Message

Written by: Clay Cothren Burlew, MD

A message from your Secretary-Treasurer

Sharon Gautschy

Executive Leadership

Executive Director's Report

Written by: Sharon Gautschy

Lots happening at AAST - check out the AAST website for more information and what is happening in YOUR association!

★ Featured Article

Specialty-Specific Workplace Standards for Surgeons: An Important Framework, But Only a First Step

Written by: Stefan W. Leichtle, MD, MBA, FACS, Patrick B. Murphy, MD, MPH, MSc, FACS, R. Shayn Martin, MD, MBA, Marc A. de Moya, MD, MHPE, FACS

Stefan W. Leichtle, MD, MBA, FACSPatrick B. Murphy, MD, MPH, MSc, FACSR. Shayn Martin, MD, MBAMarc A. de Moya, MD, MHPE, FACS

The American College of Surgeons' new framework for specialty-specific workplace standards is a welcome first step towards a more sustainable surgical career, but it raises questions for us Acute Care Surgeons. Are we really "shift-workers"? Does the wRVU system reflect our practice? Are voluntary standards good enough? Find out and join the discussion!

Raul Coimbra, MD, PhD, FACS, Editor in Chief

Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Important Information from the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Written by: Raul Coimbra, MD, PhD, FACS, Editor in Chief

The Journal has launched an automated system to detect AI-generated manuscripts, paper mill submissions, and fake references. A clear message to readers, reviewers, and editorial board members.

Prevention Committee

Drunk Driving and Strategies to Reduce Recidivism

Written by: Sigrid Burruss, MD, Stephanie Bonne, MD

Sigrid Burruss, MDStephanie Bonne, MD

Drunk driving results in thousands of preventable deaths. Recidivism rates remain high despite legal penalties. Surgeon engagement with community organizations and legislators is needed to reduce injuries and deaths from driving under the influence.

Michael Bath

AAST/IATSIC Session Winner

On April 22, 2026 AAST and IATSIC held a paper session during the 51st International Surgical Week in Mexico City, Mexico. Moderators of the session were Kimberly Davis, MD, MBA, President of AAST and David Zonies, MD, MPH, MBA, President of IATSIC. Six abstracts were presented. The winner of the AAST/IATSIC Session was Michael Bath from the United Kingdom.

Healthcare Economics Committee

Remote Physiologic Monitoring Codes, Telehealth, and Reminders of Key Surgical Modifiers

Written by: Raeanna Adams, MD, MBA, Samir Fakhry, MD, FACS, Nikolay Bugaev, MD

Raeanna Adams, MD, MBASamir Fakhry, MD, FACSNikolay Bugaev, MD

New and Old: New Remote Physiologic Monitoring Codes, Telehealth regulation extensions, and Reminders of Key Surgical Modifiers

Pediatric Committee

Intentional Inclusion: A Perspective on How Trauma/Acute Care Surgeons Can Work with Pediatric Surgeons to Improve Trauma Center and Trauma System Care of Injured Children

Written by: Lillian F. Liao, MD, MPH, Mary E. Fallat, MD, Christopher Newton, MD, Susannah Nicholson, MD, Elizabeth Scherer, MD, MPH, Ronald Stewart, MD

Lillian F. Liao, MD, MPHMary E. Fallat, MDChristopher Newton, MDSusannah Nicholson, MDElizabeth Scherer, MD, MPHRonald Stewart, MD

Pediatric trauma centers in the U.S. are not sufficient in location or number to provide timely geographic coverage of severely injured children. Adult trauma centers must participate in Pediatric Readiness at the hospital and regional level. Trauma and pediatric surgeons must work together collaboratively to ensure injured children receive optimal care regardless of location.