As I reflect on my past 14 years as a member and on my past five years of service on the Board of Governors, I am proud of our members and I am grateful to our members. A few years ago, there were dark days in which the Society had no money, little relevance, and was closer to folding than many know. We have learned the importance of shaping our environment. The last two meetings have restored our financial viability. We cannot rest on our success; however, because it takes commercial support, centrally funded TDY’s and most importantly, robust attendance at the annual symposium. I am proud and grateful that well over half of all active members attended this last meeting in San Antonio. The Board of Governors has examined the Society for relevance and rationality. Society members now have active roles in working all of the major current issues affecting the AFMS. The plenary session of the Symposium highlights these issues. The Surgeon General and subject matter experts discuss these topics and Society members have tangible input to our senior leaders. Our meeting lays the groundwork for addressing current issues throughout the year. I am proud and grateful that the vast majority of specialty consultants attend our Symposium. As the Vascular Consultant, I feel it is my duty as well as my pleasure to attend to meet with fellow vascular surgeons and resident interested in my specialty. Email is just not the same as face time. For similar reasons, I appreciate the participation of all my fellow residency program directors. The Society depends on us to deliver membership and participation from our residents. I am proud of and grateful to all the presenters but especially to the resident participants and their faculty sponsors. Active residents insure the future of our Society. Scholarly activity through presentations and publications are required by all the Residency Review Committees. Our affiliation with Current Surgery, the official journal of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery, has resulted in over 25 publications by the Society members in the last two years. This journal is well regarded by influential members of academic surgery and provides good exposure for the Society. I encourage all members to check the subscription box on the dues form. Let me now discuss several critical current issues. Maintenance of currency and skills tops the list of concern for our members. The readiness skills verification program (RSVP) sets measurable levels to maintain currency. These should be used as drivers to protect our members from assignments that result in loss of skills. All opportunities to partner with civilian medical centers must be explored. The proportion of DoD beneficiaries with complex medical/surgical problems continues to dwindle. We applaud General Carlton’s vision of the AFMS and civil defense. EMEDS participation in the Houston floods relief was invaluable. A clinically busy surgeon, nine times out of ten, is a happy surgeon. The HPSP recruiting process has not produced the best and brightest in recent years. Compounded with too deep cuts in overall numbers, there is a looming shortage of general surgeons beginning in FY 06. Fortunately, Society members brought this issue to the attention of senior leaders at the last Symposium and the issue is being addressed early to avert a repeat of the anesthesia situation. I believe General Carlton’s presentation of his vision of the AFMS should be used as a top-recruiting tool. HSPS students attend indoctrination at Maxwell before they ever step foot in a hospital. What better way to influence career choice into a critical AFSC? Likewise, a video of the SG presentation and an Air Force physician should visit every undergraduate pre-medical society in our country. We in the medical corps must take ownership to recruit individuals that can simultaneously fill AFMS needs and find personal satisfaction. Our Society has outstanding participation by the vast majority of specialties we represent. The specialties of orthopedics, emergency medicine, anesthesia and general surgery form the backbone of the MFST and EMEDS. Our Society must reach out to improve our relevance to orthopedics and emergency medicine. These specialties in turn, must meet us halfway. I believe we strongly consider expanding membership to our anesthetist colleagues. In April, we will vote to expand membership to podiatrists. In closing, let me push some real hot button items. At what price do we buy civilian anesthesia services instead of programming that money for retention of our personnel in blue? How much do we double task to fill bucket UTC’s and manning assistance? CONUS Athena Projects? I hope I have stimulated some thought. Send your ideas to me, Board Members or Mike Edwards. He is planning an outstanding Symposium program in Las Vegas. You all, the rank and file, chose this location. Having the meeting away from a medical center is a financial risk but this venue actually offers very favorable costs. It is up to all members to come out and make the meeting and the Society successful. See you there. Brian D. Peyton, Lt Col, USAF, MC President, Society of Air Force Clinical Surgeons 2010-2011 SAFCS President's Message 2009-2010 SAFCS President's Message 2008-2009 SAFCS President's Message 2006-2008 SAFCS President's Message 2003-2004 SAFCS President's Message 2002-2003 SAFCS President's Message 2000-2001 SAFCS President's Message