Dear Oregon ACS Members and Visitors to this Website:

It is an honor and a dream come true for me to be your American College of Surgeons, Oregon Chapter President for the next 2 years.

First, If you a fellow and not an Oregon Chapter Member, I strongly invite you to join us as a member. Our dues notice will go out soon. If you have lapsed, renew your membership! I pledge to do my best, to show you that this will be “the best $100.00 you ever spent”! Your Oregon chapter provides a close association with colleagues and a common ground effort to “Inspire Quality: Highest Standards, Better Outcomes.” (ACS byline).

For the last 3 years, your Oregon Chapter has been active and visible at the Capitol during our Winter Chapter Meeting. Starting last year, ALL chapter members are invited to the Sunday evening dinner meeting, and the Monday, “Day at the Capitol”. This year we had an excellent group of fellows from around the state, which enjoyed meeting with legislators to discuss important health care issues. You will not want to miss the 2012 meeting in Salem, on February 12 and 13—that’s just 3 months away! In the afternoon your council meets. Then chapter fellows arrive around 5. Then I take you on a historical walking tour of downtown Salem (4thannual, it’s a tradtion). At the Sunday evening dinner, we will hear from a State Legislator, from the ACS, National, and from other state policy makers. After a night in The Salem Grand, we have a breakfast issues and talking points meeting to prepare us for the “Day at the Capitol.” Every one of us that have had these appointments has found them interesting, valuable, and productive. Our President-elect, Dr. Nathan Kamalyn is planning the “best ever” Winter Meeting. Save the Date!

The Seventh Annual Oregon/Washington combined meeting also promises to be the “best ever”! I hope to see you at Sunriver, on June 15 to 18, 2012. We are planning another fabulous CME program that will appeal and be pertinent to all of you. The ACS set up chapters to “provide a forum through which young surgeons can share their thoughts and experiences with more established surgeons.” I have enjoyed hearing and judging our Resident competition papers. Oregon and Washington have the best Residents, and it is always difficult to choose a winner! The Surgery Resident Jeopardy game is great entertainment. I have also profited from papers by established surgeons and University surgeons! As a community based general surgeon, I have also presented papers at this meeting. This is a great social meeting to get to know colleagues, compete at golf or tennis, socialize together, and enjoy this beautiful area of the state with your family. Our guest Speaker is the newly elected ACS President-Elect, Dr. Brent Eastman! He sent me the following email: “I’m very much looking forward to participating in your Chapter meeting, and will do all I can to help make it “best ever.” Sounds like my kind of guy! Dr. Paul Hansen, our cancer chair is arranging a fantastic cancer speaker that I know you will find valuable. Bring your family for some recreation and social activities. Submit an abstract. Get your best value CME. Meet the President-Elect from ACS National. There are so many reasons to come to this year’s Chapter Meeting! I’m hoping to have the highest number of fellows at this CME meeting on June 15 – 18, 2012.

It will be a pleasure for me to get together with you during my two years as Chapter President and beyond. My wife, Kelli and I enjoy our friendship with many of you, and we want to meet as many fellows and families as possible in the future!

So, I will conclude my letter, like I started. If you a fellow and not an Oregon Chapter Member, I strongly invite you to join us. Or if you have lapsed, renew your membership! I pledge to do my best, to show you that this will be “the best $100.00 you ever spent!”

Very truly yours,

Ronald D. Jaecks, MD, FACS
President Oregon Chapter of American College of Surgeons