News Items

To receive CME or MOC credits, simply go to www.pswebsurvey.com/ASCRS. Once you have completed your evaluations and MOC posttests, you have the ability to print your own CME and MOC certificates.

You won't want to miss the Annual Meeting Photo Gallery! Check out the photos of you and your colleagues taken during the Boston Meeting and purchase your favorites.

Review the list of ASCRS and Regional Society award receipients. Lastly find out who was honored with the Public Relations Committee National Media Award, the David Jagelman, MD Award and the Local Hero Award.

The Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) awarded Robotic Surgical Technology Grants to four recipients this year.

Through funding generously provided by Intuitive Surgical, the following individuals were awarded $50,000 research grants:

• Fergal Fleming, MD - Total Healthcare Utilization Costs Following Robotic Colorectal Surgery
  
• Steven Lee-Kong, MD - Effects of a Simulation-based Robotic Surgery Training Curriculum on Operative Performance
  
• Anne Lin, MD - Haptic Feedback During Robotic Pelvic Dissection on Autonomic Foundation Preservation
  
• Yi-Quin Nancy You, MD - Inflammatory Response and Circulating Tumor Elements After Robotic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

The Investigative Robotic Surgery Grants are intended to stimulate original research in robotic surgery for either "bench" or clinical research and the awards were based on the scientific merit of the project.

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) is seeking volunteers to serve on a number of ASCRS committees for the 2016-2017 year.

In preparation for the upcoming year's activities, the ASCRS is asking for volunteers to help meet the ever-changing needs of the society. Serving on a committee is one of the best ways to get involved and make an impact in the field of colon and rectal surgery.

If you would like to be considered for an appointment to a committee, please take a few minutes to complete the Call for Volunteers Form. If you are already a committee member and would like to remain on that committee, please inform ASCRS staff.

The deadline for responding is April 1.

Once all volunteer forms are collected, they will be reviewed and appointments to committees will be made. The ASCRS will be notifying volunteers of their committee appointments this summer.

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) is seeking volunteers to serve on numerous ASCRS committees for the 2018 - 2019 year.

In preparation for the upcoming year's activities, the ASCRS is asking for volunteers to help meet the ever-changing needs of the Society and its members. Serving on a committee is one of the best ways to get involved and make an impact in the field of colon and rectal surgery.

The Executive Council has approved a Policy for Committee Membership. Additional ASCRS committee information is available on the Leadership and Committees web page.

If you would like to be considered for an appointment to a committee, please take a few minutes to complete the Call for Volunteers Survey. The deadline for responding is 11:59 pm Eastern time on March 18, 2018.

The Physician Payment Sunshine Act is part of the U.S. Affordable Care Act which requires manufacturers of drugs, medical devices and biologicals that participate in U.S. federal health care programs to report certain payments and items of value given to all licensed physicians and select teaching hospitals. Since August 1, 2013, manufacturers have been required to collect and track payments, transfers and ownership information for reporting to the government.

What is being reported? What is exempt from reporting? How do I find out what industry is reporting about me? How do I view the reports prior to the information becoming public? What can I do as a physician to ensure the accuracy of the data? What can I do if the information in the government provider database is inaccurate?

The ASCRS presented this webinar, hosted by Mr. Thomas Sullivan, the President of the Rockpointe Corporation, to address these questions and others.

Information provided in this presentation is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.