Your Voice Shapes 2027
Tell us how to make next year even better

This symposium exists for the chiefs in the room — and it gets sharper every year because of your candid feedback. What landed, what to rethink, and what you want to see next all directly shape the 2027 program, speakers, and format. It takes about three minutes, and every response genuinely counts.

Take the Survey →
About 3 minutes · Your input goes straight to the Steering Committee
Day-of Essentials
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Morning Shuttles
Morning Reports (optional, 7:00 AM): first pickup 6:30 AM at Loews & Marriott → VUH Main Hospital 1st Floor Lobby. Dr. Brad Dennis and Dr. Steve Gondek will meet attendees and walk them to the Morning Report rooms.
Main sessions: Loews 7:45 AM · Marriott ~8:00 AM → Children's Hospital Board Room.
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Wi-Fi
Network: VUMCGuest
Password: vumcguest
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On-Site Help
Text Patricia Barceló
(520) 373-2550
Optional Events

Find Your RSVP

Forget what you signed up for? Select your name to see your optional sessions.

A note on the limited sessions. RSVPs are now closed. The Morning Reports and Night Clinical Experiences were capped at 3 attendees each, so the sessions shown for your name reflect your final sign-ups. Questions on the day? Call or text Patty at (520) 373-2550.
Welcome

A note from the Steering Committee

On behalf of the Society of Acute Care Surgery Chiefs Steering Committee, welcome to Nashville and to the 2026 Annual Symposium. A warm welcome, too, to those joining us for the first time — we are delighted to have you with us.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Vanderbilt Health for hosting this year's gathering. A special thank you to Dr. Mayur B. Patel, MD, MPH, Diana N. Russell, and Alyssa C. Brake of Vanderbilt Health, together with Jermica Smith and Patricia Barceló, for their dedication in planning and bringing this event to life.

We look forward to three days of candid exchange, shared learning, and the collegiality that defines our community.
— The Society of Acute Care Surgery Chiefs Steering Committee
Program

Agenda

Three days of focused exchange — a welcome evening, two days of sessions, and time to connect.

🕓 All session times are shown in  Central Time (CT).
Final Agenda
Welcome Evening

Friday, July 10

Church & Union · Loge Room
5:30–7:30PM
Optional Dinner at Church & Union
Loge Room
Getting there: No shuttle for this event — please make your own way to Church & Union (downtown Nashville).
Optional · RSVP Closed
Featured Presentation
Robotics Program: How We Started It at Vanderbilt
Oliver Gunter, MD, MPH
8:00–10:00PM
Optional Night Clinical Experience
Vanderbilt Health
Attending: Zoe Maher, MD · Marc de Moya, MD
Optional · Max 3 · RSVP Closed
Day One

Saturday, July 11

Children’s Hospital Board Room
7:00–8:00AM
Morning Report — Trauma
Attending: Matt Eckert, MD · Andy Kerwin, MD · Brian Yorkgitis, DO
Shuttle: First pickup 6:30 AM outside the lobby at Loews & Marriott (hotels are ~2 minutes apart) → VUH Main Hospital 1st Floor Lobby, where Dr. Brad Dennis and Dr. Steve Gondek will meet attendees and walk them to the Morning Report rooms. Please be outside on time — the session starts promptly at 7:00 AM.
Optional · Max 3 · RSVP Closed
7:00–8:00AM
Morning Report — EGS
Attending: S. Morad Hameed, MD · Zoe Maher, MD · Robert Winchell, MD
Shuttle: First pickup 6:30 AM outside the lobby at Loews & Marriott (hotels are ~2 minutes apart) → VUH Main Hospital 1st Floor Lobby, where Dr. Brad Dennis and Dr. Steve Gondek will meet attendees and walk them to the Morning Report rooms. Please be outside on time — the session starts promptly at 7:00 AM.
Optional · Max 3 · RSVP Closed
8:00–8:30AM
Transit from Hospital/Hotel to Children’s Hospital Board Room
Escorted by Diana Russell & Patricia Barceló
Shuttle: Pickup in front of the hotel lobby — Loews 7:45 AM · Marriott ~8:00 AM → Children’s Hospital Board Room.
8:30–9:00AM
Welcome & Introduction
Mayur B. Patel, MD, MPH
9:00–9:30AM
Trauma Service
Bradley M. Dennis, MD
9:30–10:00AM
Military–Civilian Program
Bradley M. Dennis, MD
10:00–10:30AM
Transforming Acute Care Surgery with APP Workforce Expansion
Shelley Atkinson · Caroline Banes · Cherry Chassen · Katie Forrester · Manry Martin · Linda Wilkinson
10:30–11:00AM
Emergency General Surgery Service
Michael Smith, MD
11:00–11:30AM
Emergency Operations
Michael Smith, MD
11:30–12:00PM
Acute Care Surgery Fellowship
Stephen Gondek, MD, MPH · Robel Beyene, MD · Jill Streams, MD
12:00–1:00PM
Lunch Break
1:00–1:30PM
Burn Service
Anne Wagner, MD · Erica Schoch, RN · Annie Mitchell, DNP, RN
1:30–2:00PM
Surgical Intensive Care Unit Service
Shannon Eastham, MD
2:00–2:30PM
Building a Regional Acute Care Surgery System: The Vanderbilt Wilson County Experience
Andrew Hopper, MD
2:30PM
Group Photograph
2:30–3:00PM
Tour, Transition to Hotel & Day One Adjourn
Eric Mace, MD · Joshua Thompson, MD, PhD · Z. Tom Mou, MD
Note: The tour will be divided into 3 groups — an announcement about groups will be made during the course of the day.
3:00–5:00PM
Break Break
5:30–8:30PM
Dinner with Vanderbilt Teams
Pizza Perfect
Shuttle: Pickup at the hotels at 5:15 PM to Pizza Perfect; return departs Pizza Perfect on-demand.
8:00–10:00PM
Optional Night Clinical Experience
Vanderbilt Health
No sign-ups for this session
Optional · Max 3 · RSVP Closed
Day Two

Sunday, July 12

Children’s Hospital Board Room
7:00–8:00AM
Morning Report — Trauma
Attending: Marc de Moya, MD · Matthew Lissauer, MD · Kaushik Mukherjee, MD
Shuttle: First pickup 6:30 AM outside the lobby at Loews & Marriott (hotels are ~2 minutes apart) → VUH Main Hospital 1st Floor Lobby, where Dr. Brad Dennis and Dr. Steve Gondek will meet attendees and walk them to the Morning Report rooms. Please be outside on time — the session starts promptly at 7:00 AM.
Optional · Max 3 · RSVP Closed
7:00–8:00AM
Morning Report — EGS
Attending: Matt Eckert, MD · Brian Yorkgitis, DO
Shuttle: First pickup 6:30 AM outside the lobby at Loews & Marriott (hotels are ~2 minutes apart) → VUH Main Hospital 1st Floor Lobby, where Dr. Brad Dennis and Dr. Steve Gondek will meet attendees and walk them to the Morning Report rooms. Please be outside on time — the session starts promptly at 7:00 AM.
Optional · Max 3 · RSVP Closed
8:00–8:30AM
Transit from Hospital/Hotel to Children’s Hospital Board Room
Escorted by Diana Russell & Patricia Barceló
Shuttle: Pickup in front of the hotel lobby — Loews 7:45 AM · Marriott ~8:00 AM → Children’s Hospital Board Room.
8:30–9:00AM
Business Meeting
Marc de Moya, MD · SACSC Leadership
9:00–9:30AM
Community Engagement Programs
Rachel Appelbaum, MD
9:30–10:00AM
Outreach, Education & Prevention
Catherine Wilson, RN
10:00–10:30AM
Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction & Survivorship Center
Amelia Maiga, MD, MPH
10:30–11:00AM
Pursuing Professionalism: Addressing Behaviors that Undermine a Culture of Safety and Respect
William Cooper, MD, MPH
11:00–11:30AM
AI Product Map for Acute Care Surgery
Kevin Sexton, MD
11:30AM
Day Two Adjourn
11:30–1:00PM
Optional Lunch: Advocacy for Health Economics & Market Access
Geri Cramer, PhD, MBA, RN
Optional · RSVP Closed
1:00–5:00PM
Optional Afternoon Operative Experience
Optional · RSVP Closed
Wi-Fi Access
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NetworkVUMCGuest
Passwordvumcguestall lowercase
Leadership

Steering Committee

Rachael A. Callcut, MD, MSPH, FACS
Division Chief — Trauma, Acute Care Surgery & Surgical Critical Care
Associate Dean for Data Science & Innovation, UC Davis School of Medicine
Chief Research Informatics Officer (CRIO), UC Davis Health
Vice-Chair of Clinical Science · Professor of Surgery in Residence
Michael Cripps, MD, MSCS, FACS
Section Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Professor, Department of Surgery · Trauma Medical Director
Anschutz Medical Campus
Marc de Moya, MD, MHPE, FACS
Enterprise Senior Medical Director of Operating Room Management, Froedtert Healthcare
Chief of Trauma / Acute Care Surgery
Professor with Tenure · Lidy Lunda/Apraphamian Chair
Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin · Milwaukee, WI
Bellal Joseph, MD, FACS, MAMSE
Senior Vice President & Surgeon-In-Chief
Charity Evans, MD, MHCM, FACS
Chief, Division of Acute Care Surgery, UNMC Department of Surgery
Professor, UNMC Department of Surgery
Participants

Attendees

The chiefs and colleagues joining us in Nashville.

Abenamar Arrillaga, MD
NYU Langone
Patricia Barceló-Sanders, JD
University of Arizona
Elizabeth R. Benjamin, MD, PhD
Emory University / Grady
Jessica Burgess, MD, FACS
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Rachel Callcut, MD, MSPH, FACS
UC Davis
Todd Costantini, MD, FACS
University of Minnesota
Michael Cripps, MD, MSCS, FACS
University of Colorado Anschutz
Marc de Moya, MD, MHPE, FACS
Medical College of Wisconsin
José Diaz, MD, CPE, CNS, FACS, FCCM
University of South Florida / Tampa General
Matt Eckert, MD, MHPE
University of North Carolina
Charity Evans, MD, MHCM, FACS
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Laura Haines, MD, FACS
UC San Diego
S. Morad Hameed, MD, MPH
Stanford University
Daniel Holena, MD, MSCE, FACS
Medical University of South Carolina
Elliot Jessie, MD, MBA, FACS
Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans
Bellal Joseph, MD, FACS, MAMSE
Grady Health System
Andy Kerwin, MD, FACS, DABS
University of Tennessee HSC
Matthew Lissauer, MD, FACS, FCCM
Hartford Hospital
Stephanie Lueckel, MD
Brown University Health
Firas Madbak, MD, FACS, FCCP, FCCM
University of Florida Health – Jacksonville
Zoe Maher, MD
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Niels Martin, MD, FACS, FCCM
University of Pennsylvania
Nathan Mowery, MD
The Ohio State University
Kaushik Mukherjee, MD, MBA, MSCI, FACS
Loma Linda University Health
Mayur B. Patel, MD, MPH, FACS, FCCM
Vanderbilt Health
Ziad Sifri, MD, BSc
Rutgers NJMS
Jermica Smith
AAST
S. Rob Todd, MD
NYU Langone Health
Christine Trankiem, MD
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Robert Winchell, MD, FACS
Weill Cornell Medicine
Brian Yorkgitis, DO, PA-C, FACS
Indiana University
Martin Zielinski, MD, FACS
Baylor College of Medicine
Nationwide

From across the country

Chiefs and colleagues converging on Nashville from coast to coast.

Tampa, FL: José DiazHouston, TX: Martin ZielinskiNew Orleans, LA: Elliot JessieJacksonville, FL: Firas MadbakTucson, AZ: Patricia Barceló-SandersSan Diego, CA: Laura HainesCharleston, SC: Daniel HolenaAtlanta, GA — 2 attendees: Elizabeth R. Benjamin, Bellal JosephLoma Linda, CA: Kaushik MukherjeeMemphis, TN: Andy KerwinChapel Hill, NC: Matt EckertNashville, TN: Mayur B. PatelNorfolk, VA: Jessica BurgessStanford, CA: S. Morad HameedSacramento, CA: Rachel CallcutWashington, DC: Christine TrankiemAurora, CO: Michael CrippsIndianapolis, IN: Brian YorkgitisPhiladelphia, PA — 2 attendees: Niels Martin, Zoe MaherColumbus, OH: Nathan MoweryNew York, NY — 3 attendees: Abenamar Arrillaga, S. Rob Todd, Robert WinchellNewark, NJ: Ziad SifriOmaha, NE: Charity EvansHartford, CT: Matthew LissauerProvidence, RI: Stephanie LueckelChicago, IL: Jermica SmithMilwaukee, WI: Marc de MoyaMinneapolis, MN: Todd Costantini★ NASHVILLE · HOST
📍 Tap any city dot to see who’s joining from there.
32 attendees · 22 states & Washington, DC · from coast to coast
Arizona · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Louisiana · Minnesota · Nebraska · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Virginia · Wisconsin · Washington, DC
Membership

Join SACSC

Be part of the community shaping the future of acute care surgery leadership.

Membership connects you with chiefs from across the country and helps power everything we do together — we'd love to welcome you in.

Once you submit the form, you'll receive an invoice for your SACSC dues.

Before You Arrive

Know Before You Go

A few practical notes to help you pack and plan for Nashville.

👕

What to Wear

Dress is casual all weekend. Jeans are welcome Friday evening; scrubs, institutional jackets, and good walking shoes are all perfectly fine and even encouraged Saturday and Sunday. No suits or ties needed.

🎒

What to Bring

  • Your name badge & lanyard
  • Comfortable walking shoes — lots of campus to cover
  • A light layer for indoor air-conditioning
  • Your phone for Wi-Fi (VUMCGuest)

July Weather

Expect hot, humid days with average highs near 90°F and overnight lows around 70°F. Dress light, stay hydrated, and a light layer helps with indoor air-conditioning.

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Getting Around

There's a fair amount of walking across the medical campus, so comfortable shoes are a must. Some areas are under construction and routes may change, so allow a little extra time — our team will help guide you each morning.

Dining

Where We'll Gather

Two group dinners on the agenda — here's where to find them.

Friday · Optional Dinner

Church & Union

201 4th Ave N #101, Loge Room
Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 864-0977

Get Directions →
Saturday · Dinner with Vanderbilt Teams

Pizza Perfect

1602 21st Ave S
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 329-2757

Get Directions →
Stay

Hotels

Two hotels near Vanderbilt with rooms held for attendees.

Host Hotel

Loews Vanderbilt Hotel

Steps from Vanderbilt and the West End, in the heart of Music City.

Book your room →
Alternate

Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt

On the Vanderbilt campus, a short walk to the venue.

Book your room →
Explore

Discover Nashville

A few favorites near Vanderbilt and across Music City.

See & Do
Eat & Drink
Travel & Venue

Getting here

Vanderbilt Health
Children’s Hospital Board Room · Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital
2200 Children’s Way · Nashville, TN 37232
From Nashville International Airport (BNA) — about 8 miles, roughly 15–25 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Rideshare & taxi — Uber, Lyft, and taxis are available at the airport ground-transportation area (typically ~$25–35 to Vanderbilt).
Driving — take I-40 West toward downtown, then the Broadway / West End exits to Vanderbilt.
P
Parking — the South Garage adjoins the hospital (free valet on weekdays); enter from the Children’s Way entrance between 23rd & 24th Avenues.
Hotel shuttles — check with Loews or the Marriott about availability when booking.
Transportation

Shuttle Schedule

Shuttle service runs between the host hotels (Loews & Marriott), Vanderbilt Children's, and Saturday's dinner. There is no shuttle for Friday's welcome dinner — please make your own way to Church & Union (downtown Nashville).

Saturday · July 11
6:30 AMLoews & Marriott VUH Main Hospital 1st Floor LobbyMorning Report attendees only — first pickup
7:45 AMLoews Vanderbilt Children'sFirst round
~8:00 AMMarriott Vanderbilt Children'sSecond round (approx.) — circles back
3:00 PMVanderbilt Children's Loews & MarriottReturn
5:15 PMLoews & Marriott Pizza Perfect
On-demandPizza Perfect Loews & MarriottReturn departs on-demand
Sunday · July 12
6:30 AMLoews & Marriott VUH Main Hospital 1st Floor LobbyMorning Report attendees only — first pickup
7:45 AMLoews Vanderbilt Children'sFirst round
~8:00 AMMarriott Vanderbilt Children'sSecond round (approx.) — circles back

All shuttle times are Central Time (CT); please be in front of the hotel lobby a few minutes ahead of each departure.

Contact

Questions?

We're glad to help with anything about the symposium — registration, travel, or logistics.

Email the Organizers ✉
📱 On-site during the symposium, text Patricia Barceló at (520) 373-2550
Thank You

Thank you for being part of the SACSC 2026 Symposium

To everyone joining us in Nashville — thank you. Making time to be here is no small thing, and your willingness to share your work, your questions, and your time is what makes this community what it is. We're grateful to the teams at Vanderbilt Health for hosting us, and to each of you for being part of it. We can't wait to learn alongside you.

— The SACSC Steering Committee
Looking Ahead
SACSC 2027
Details for next year’s symposium will be shared as they become available.