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About Us

About The Philadelphia Academy of Surgery

The Philadelphia Academy of Surgery was founded in 1879 by Samuel D. Gross, M.D., the chair of surgery at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Academy of Surgery is the oldest continuously meeting surgical society in the United States. The Philadelphia Academy predates Gross' founding of the American Surgical Association, which is widely considered to be the nation's most prestigious surgical society.

As stated in its constitution, "The object of the Academy shall be the Cultivation and Improvement of the Science and Art of Surgery, the Elevation of the Medical Profession, the Promotion of the Public Health, and such other matters as may come legitimately within its sphere." Toward this end, the Academy of Surgery typically holds dinner meetings eight times each year; six meetings are usually held at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (19 S. 22nd Street, Philadelphia) and the seventh is held jointly with the New York Surgical Society and the Boston Surgical Society   The final meeting of the year is held jointly with the Metropolitan Philadelphia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. The dates and times of this year's meetings can be found on our Calendar of Events tab. Non-members may attend at the invitation of a member. Particularly significant events include the Rhoads Annual Oration, the Erb Lecture, and the Clarke Lectureship. The Academy also sponsors a yearly Surgical Trainee Paper Competition for the Chris Tzarnas Surgical Research Award and presents the prestigious Samuel D. Gross Prize once every five years.

Executive Council

President

Orlando Kirton, M.D.

President Elect

Nicole M. Saur, M.D.

Vice President

Francesco Palazzo, M.D.

Scientific Program Officer

Jeffrey Farma, M.D.

Secretary

Lisa Reid, M.D.

Treasurer

Joshua Marks, M.D.

Past President

Michael Weingarten, M.D., MBA

Recorder

Asanthi Ratnasekera, D.O.

Councilor-at-Large

Kay Yoon-Flannery, D.O.

Councilor-at-Large

Maria Altieri, M.D.

Executive Director

Niels Martin, M.D.

Executive Director Emeritus

John R. Clarke, M.D.

Executive Administrator

Myra Rodriguez, MBA

Past Presidents and Officers
Past Executive Directors and Administrators

Event Photos

Dr. Turner (John R. Clarke Lecture)

Welcome Dr. Lindholm (1/9/23)

Welcome Dr. Williams (1/9/23)

Welcome Dr. Villano (1/9/23)

Welcome Dr. Gruner (1/9/23)

Welcome Dr. Lopez (1/9/23)

Welcome Dr. Reid-Gruner (1/9/23)

Welcome Dr. Castellanos (1/9/23)

Dr. Uzzo (Rhoads 2022)

Welcome Dr. Uzzo (Dec 2022)

Welcome Dr. Plestis (Dec 2022)

Welcome Dr. Tatarian (Dec 2022)

Welcome Dr. Greco (Nov 2022)

Welcome Dr. Aggon (Nov 2022)

Welcome Dr. Carter (Nov 2022)

Welcome Dr. Bleicher (Nov 2022)

Welcome Dr. Chipman (Nov 2022)

Welcome Dr. Porpiglia (Oct 2022)

Oct 2022 Erb Lecturer, Dr. Stewart

Incoming President, Dr. Willis honors outgoing President Dr. Brooks for his service to the Academy, on behalf of all the Fellows of the Academy.

Welcome New Fellows!

2021 Rhoads Oration

Click here to see more photos from our March, 2020 meeting