Become a Member
Dear Colleague:
Despite decreasing reimbursement for many procedures, overhead continues to increase. We seem to pay more to get less and work harder to earn fewer dollars to pay for services and commodities. Furthermore it often seems difficult to find an organization to adequately voice concerns and represent our needs. It is therefore crucial to avail ourselves of cost effective means of maximizing our return while minimizing the money expended to support our practices. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons understands these issues and has incorporated them into its operating mission. The benefits of joining the 2,800+ active members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons include:
- A reduced fee at the annual spring scientific meeting
This meeting is attended by over 1,200 surgeons and includes high quality podium and poster presentations from throughout the world. Registration is $400 for members and $500 for non-members.
- Free Monthly Journal
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, the official journal of the Society, is mailed on a monthly basis to all members of the Society and is available online.
- Practice Guidelines
The Standards/Outcomes Committee has developed standards of practice parameters which have been published in Diseases of the Colon and Rectum and are distributed free of charge to members of the Society.
- Continuing Education
The Self Assessment Committee develops, on a periodic basis, a comprehensive syllabus including an exam booklet and references/critiques/ bibliography booklet. Upon evidence that the syllabus has been studied and the exam answer sheet forwarded to ASCRS, physicians earn 50 credit hours in Category 1 of the Physician's Recognition Award of the American Medical Association.
- Regional Representation
Twenty-one regional societies have ongoing continuing medical education at their regular meetings and have full representation on the national level through the Regional Society Committee.
- Representation Early in Career
Young surgeons are well represented in our Society through the Young Surgeons Committee, a facet not often addressed in many other societies.
- Research Support
The Society has also integrated the Research Foundation which has raised over $5,000,000 toward research in the field of colorectal surgery. These funds are available through grants to members of our Society.
- Residency Training
The residency training programs accredited by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgeons / Residency Review Committee allow our specialty expertise to be recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
- International Council of Coloproctology
The International Council of Coloproctology perpetrates integration of colorectal surgery throughout the world.
- Public Relations Committee
The PR Committee has developed 24 readily comprehensive patient education brochures available to members of our Society.
- Socioeconomic Committee
The Socioeconomic Committee insures that governmental agencies are alerted to the concerns of surgeons operating on the colon, rectum and anus. Recommendations of reimbursement levels and revision and creation of new CPT codes are important functions of this committee.
The American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons is large enough to represent your interests but small enough to hear your voice and meet your needs. All of the many benefits of membership are available to you for the low annual cost of only $300. We invite you to complete a membership application form online or return it to the membership office of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons for approval. We look forward to receiving your application and hopefully welcoming you as an active participating member both at our annual scientific meeting and throughout the year. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to call our office at 847-290-9184.
Sincerely,
Andreas Kaiser, MD, Chair
Membership Committee
James Fleshman, MD
President