Surgery and Liver Transplantation Committee

Purpose

To improve and promote hepatobiliary and liver transplant surgical research and education.

Tasks

The Committee will:

• Recommend experienced transplant surgeons or physicians to the Scientific Program Committee to Chair and/or Co-chair the Annual Transplant Course as Course Director(s).
• The Course Director(s) will select the topics and speakers, with oversight and review by the Surgery and Liver Transplantation Committee and ultimate approval by the Education Oversight Committee.
• Interact with conference organizers frequently to help in the design, planning, organization, and conduct of ILTS and AHPBA courses that deal with hepatobiliary surgery to ensure that these events have excellent scientific content adequately reflecting the most up-to-date understanding of the surgical issues in hepatology.
• Work to promote educational activities by the AASLD.
• Advise the AASLD Governing Board on issues of both clinical and research training in surgery.
• Work with other academic and lay organizations and the relevant components of the Federal government on issues of mutual importance, such as developing and promoting guidelines for training in hepatobiliary surgery, and guidelines for hepatobiliary practice.
• Interact with similar committees in other related organizations to coordinate activities, on developing updates in hepatobiliary and liver transplant surgery, through educational courses and reviews.
• Advise the AASLD President and Governing Board on important issues regarding hepatobiliary surgery.
• Work within the budget and policies set forth by the Governing Board.

The Chair will:

• Direct the planning process for and report regularly to the AASLD Governing Board on the committee's status.
• Participate as a member of the Scientific Program Committee.
• Participate as a member of the Education Oversight Committee.
• Submit a written report to each Governing Board meeting.
• Make policy recommendations to the Governing Board.

Size, Term, Composition

(Currently 13 Members, 3 Of Which Are Surgeons)

• Fourteen (14) members who will include representatives of all the important fields in hepatobiliary and liver transplant surgery, with particular emphasis on hepatic transplantation. (Two (2) Associate members are required for planning continuing education credits. Inserted 5-25-06. Two (2) additional surgeons added to increase representation of surgeons to comprise 50% of committee. 5-16-08.)
• Committee members will include: hepatobiliary surgeons, liver transplant surgeons, pediatric liver surgeons, and transplant hepatologists. Other appropriate members would include transplant immunologists, pathologists, and internists.
• The committee should have expertise in all the major fields of hepatobiliary and liver transplant research. Committee members will serve staggered three-year terms with new members appointed annually.
• The chair will serve in that capacity for three years, and thus may extend his/her term on the committee to a total of four to five years. Subcommittees may be formed by the chair to deal with specific issues.

Appointment

• The committee members will be selected by the AASLD President-Elect, with the advice and consent of the Governing Board.
• The chair will be appointed by the AASLD President-Elect from the members who have already served for one to two years.
• Special ad hoc members can be assigned to specific topics at the request of the chair and approval of the AASLD President.

Governing Board Liaison

A Board liaison will be appointed to the committee for the purpose of sharing information between committee members, the Governing Board, and staff.

Reports To

The chair should report formally to the AASLD Governing Board on a semiannual basis providing information on committee activities, future plans, and advice from the Governing Board.

Work Outside of Meetings

Committee members will serve as liaison members to similar committees in other related organizations.

Costs

Individual committee member expenses are reimbursed in accordance with Association policy.

Relates to Goals

• Goal 1.1 Provide in-person and online education
• Goal 2.1 Facilitate translational science continuity from basic discovery into practice, cost-effective care, and health policy.

Committee Members