Dr. Ed Verrier Inducted into ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators

Left to right: David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons and Member of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators Steering Committee; Ed D. Verrier, K. Alvin and Shirley Merendino Endowed Professor of Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery; Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, Director of the ACS Division of Education and Co-Chair of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators Steering Committee

October 15, 2019

Dr. Ed Verrier, K. Alvin and Shirley E. Merendino Endowed Professor of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, was inducted into the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. This honor is a tribute to a lifetime of dedication to surgical education. As program director for the cardiothoracic residency at the University of Washington, Dr. Verrier has been a mentor and role model who has influenced our department’s culture and commitment to surgical education. At the national level, his leadership of the Joint Council for Thoracic Surgical Education completely changed the curriculum, focus, and paradigm for residency programs in cardiothoracic surgery.

“In academic surgery we have three priorities: excellence in clinical care, furthering our specialties through research and educating the next generation of surgeons,” states Dr. Verrier.  “In our current world of incentives, education has been less rewarded as it is frequently viewed as an art form rather than a science…if one is a good clinical surgeon, then one is most likely a good educator. For the American College of Surgeons to honor “Master Surgical Educators” is an incredible step forward in recognizing the importance of teaching, mentorship, and coaching at every level of surgical education. For me personally as the sole cardiothoracic surgeon recognized, being inducted into the Academy of Master Surgical Educators is the pinnacle of my career and will always be cherished. It is also a responsibility. I hope to continue to contribute more to the Academy and the University of Washington in the future and strengthen this message to the next generation of surgical educators.”

The aim of the new ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is to recognize and assemble a team of Master Surgeon Educators of national and international renown who will work closely with the ACS Division of Education to advance the science and practice of avant-garde surgical education and training.

The goals of the Academy include defining megatrends in surgical education and training; steering advances in the field; fostering innovation and collaboration; supporting faculty development and recognition; and underscoring the critical importance of surgical education and training in the changing milieu of health care.