Letter from Dr. Newstead

Dear Colleague:

Further to the invitation from James Fleshman, MD, President of ASCRS, to participate in the affairs of the ICCP of the ASCRS, an elaboration of the proposed activities as agreed by Council of ASCRS is set out below.

The activities of the committee include the following agenda items:

1.  Informatics:

Listing (and maintenance of a register) of all national colorectal surgical societies, email addresses, websites, (current) secretariat/Presidents, planned scientific meetings etc. In addition it is hoped to develop links between the web sites of (all) colorectal societies and to include information and means of access to colorectal journals.

     2.     Visiting Fellowships/ Scholarships:

Purposes: To enable young colorectal surgeons the opportunity to attend a meeting of the ASCRS, to encourage their submission of quality presentations to be considered for the meeting and to foster good international relations between the ASCRS and other national colorectal surgical societies.

Value: Up to six awards will be made annually, each to a (maximum) value of $US3000 and financed on a two to one (2:1) matching basis, such that for every two dollars provided by ASCRS (maximum $2000 each), the sponsoring national society will provide one dollar ($1000 each). Additionally, ASCRS will include registration for the Annual Scientific Meeting and a one year subscription to Diseases of Colon & Rectum for one year (for each recipient).

Requirements: Completion of an application form and documentation as detailed in documentation available on this site entitled: "ASCRS Travel Scholarships" comprising a covering letter, criteria for application and an application form and submitted to the ASCRS by the nominated closing date. The application must be accompanied by approval for matching financial support from the candidate’s National Society as outlined in the document.

1.  ASCRS International Fellowship: This is awarded annually by ASCRS Council on the recommendation of Council of ICCP, to candidates (from any country) deemed likely to be able to gain significant educational benefit and with a perceived need and the potential to further the development of the specialty in their country.

   Purposes: To attend the next Annual Scientific Meeting of ASCRS and to visit a number of major US colorectal centers over a period of four weeks.

   Value: Up to $US 6000, plus registration to attend the Annual Scientific Meeting of the ASCRS in the year of the Fellowship and a one year subscription to Diseases of Colon & Rectum, the official journal of the ASCRS. Assistance will be given with arrangements to visit other centers and local accommodation costs.

   Requirements: Completion of an application form and documentation as detailed in the documentation available on this site entitled: "ASCRS International Fellowship" comprising a covering letter, criteria for application and an application form and submitted to the ASCRS by the nominated closing date.

2. ASCRS Travel Scholarships: To be awarded by ASCRS Council on the recommendation of Council of the ICCP.
3. International Speakers:
   1. To recommend and develop a repository of names of suitable speakers for future meetings of ASCRS.
   2. Maintenance of a resource data bank for teachers/speakers for international activities.
   3. Advisory to Program Chairperson for subsequent ASCRS annual meeting.
4. Outreach Programs:
   In concert with International colleagues, identify needs and opportunities to:
   1. support colorectal surgeons to assist in areas of need, and to...
   2. support colorectal surgeons to participate in educational programs as requested.
   3. explore granting opportunities with NGOs etc.
5. Minimum Standards:

   Determine needs and utility (with input from Standards Committee of ASCRS).

   Structure:

   The committee consists of an Executive which carries out the administrative functions, including the collection and collation of data as well as Permanent Members representing major societies. Corresponding members include all established national societies and federations (regional associations).

6. International Collaboration:

Act as a facilitator in the development of international colorectal activities where appropriate.

Executive

Chairman: Graham Newstead, MD
Vice Chair: Richard Billingham, MD
President ASCRS (ex-officio): James Fleshman, MD
Immediate Past President ASCRS: Anthony Senagore, MD
President-Elect ASCRS: David Beck, MD
Advisor: Stanley Goldberg, MD

Council
Raul Cutait, MD
Julio Garcia-Aguilar, MD
Fumio Konishi, MD
Eduardo Londono-Schimmer, MD
Klaus Matzel, MD
John Northover, MD
Lars Pahlman, MD
Andrew Renwick, MD
Fidel Ruiz-Healy, MD
Alan G. Thorson, MD

Members
Presidents (or their nominees) of national societies of coloproctology
and regional associations

The ASCRS looks forward to a mutually satisfying period of collaboration which, it is hoped, will be of significant assistance in the education of young colorectal surgeons and to the development of colorectal surgery throughout the world. Your involvement will be greatly appreciated.

With kind regards,

Graham L Newstead
Chairman ICCP

email addresses:
grahamnewstead@sydneycolorectal.com.au
new@bigpond.net.au