AAST 85th Annual Meeting

85th Annual Meeting

Preliminary Program

September 14–19, 2026Hyatt Regency Dallas, Dallas, TX
Hotel reservation deadline: August 18, 2026 · Schedule subject to change

Welcome Messages

Raminder Nirula, MD, MPH

Program Chair & Recorder

Raminder Nirula, MD, MPH

Welcome to Dallas and the AAST's 85th Annual Meeting!

Kimberly A. Davis, MD, MBA

AAST President

Kimberly A. Davis, MD, MBA

Dear AAST Members and Guests,

Featured Lectures

Presidential Address

Kimberly A. Davis, MD, MBA

"Navigating Uncertainty"

Wednesday, September 1611:50 AM – 12:50 PM

Professor of Surgery (General, Trauma & Surgical Critical Care) Chief of the Division of General Surgery, Trauma, and Surgical Critical Care Trauma Medical Director, Yale-New Haven Health System; President of the AAST

Fitts Lecture

Martin A. Croce, MD

"Get Off My Lawn!"

Thursday, September 1711:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Chief Medical Officer of Region One Health in Memphis. Professor of Surgery, UTHSC. Past President of the AAST.

Expert Surgeon Lecture

Brendan C. Visser, MD

"Evolving management of pancreatitis - where does it leave the surgeon?"

Friday, September 1810:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Professor and Chief, Section of HepatoPancreatoBiliary (HPB) Surgery at Stanford. Medical Director, Stanford Cancer Center GI Clinical Care Program.

Emergency Surgery Course

Sharpen your decision-making in non-trauma emergency surgery

with the Emergency Surgery Course.

The ESC®, a joint program of AAST and ESTES, equips surgeons with the know-how and decision-making skills needed for the realities of daily practice. Two days of highly interactive education combine theoretical sessions, case scenarios, and state-of-the-art operative videos. Topics include abdominal sepsis, bowel obstruction, colorectal emergencies, acute cholecystitis, obstetric emergencies, and more.

Jul 28–29, 2026

Virtual

Sep 14–15, 2026

Annual Meeting · Dallas

Oct 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2026

Modular · Fridays Virtual

Optional Sessions

Deepen your expertise with specialized pre-sessions, lunch sessions, and add-on courses. These optional sessions feature focused education on topics ranging from neurocritical care and surgical techniques to leadership development, research funding, and emerging innovations in acute care surgery. Each session is designed to enhance your knowledge and professional growth.

DEI Committee · September 17, 2026 · 6:15–7:15 AM CST

Join us for the Third Annual Networking Breakfast

Hosted by the AAST DEI Committee!

Calling all surgical trainees and faculty members! Are you looking to connect with others in the trauma and acute care surgery community who are committed to building a welcoming and supportive professional environment—including AAST leadership?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee · June 22 – July 29, 2026

AAST Diversity Essay Contest

Hosted by the AAST Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and Associate Member Council

For Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows

Schedule at a Glance

Monday, September 14

7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Emergency Surgery Course
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Board of Managers Meeting

Tuesday, September 15

7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Board of Managers Meeting
7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Emergency Surgery Course
7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Registration
8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
4th Annual AAST Military Fallen Surgeons Education Symposium
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Geriatric Committee: Falls Prevention Event
1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
The 2026 AAST Neurocritical Care Update and Board Review Course
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Hands-on Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Seminar: Session I
3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Hands-on Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Seminar: Session II
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Industry Symposium: CFA Access 101 (Non-CME), Presented by Prytime Medical Devices
Speaker: M. Chance Spalding, DO, PhD, FACSM

Wednesday, September 16

6:30 AM – 7:30 AM
Resident/Student/In-training Fellow Breakfast
Presenter: Karen Brasel, MD, MPH
6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Registration
6:45 AM – 7:45 AM
Committee Meetings I
DEI Committee · Emergency General Surgery Committee · Geriatrics Committee · Healthcare Economics Committee · Prevention Committee · Pediatrics Committee
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome
8:45 AM – 11:25 AM
AAST Donor Café
8:45 AM – 11:25 AM
Session I: Plenary Papers 1–8
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Exhibits Open
11:25 AM – 11:50 AM
Break in the Exhibit Hall
11:50 AM – 4:00 PM
AAST Donor Café
11:50 AM – 12:50 PM
Session II: Presidential Address – "Navigating Uncertainty"
Presenter: Kimberly A. Davis, MD, MBA
12:50 PM – 2:00 PM
Fix the System, Not Just the Surgeon: Structural Reforms in Acute Care Surgery That Promote Longevity
12:50 PM – 2:00 PM
Managing Complex Trauma: Lessons From Global Leaders
12:50 PM – 2:00 PM
Optimizing Pediatric Trauma and Burn Regional Management
12:50 PM – 2:00 PM
'Too Sick' for Trauma or Emergency General Surgery? Navigating Frailty, Organ Failure, and Goals of Care
12:50 PM – 2:00 PM
Funding Outside the Box: Tips and Tricks for Nontraditional Grant Applications
12:50 PM – 2:00 PM
Work Smarter, Not Harder: Making the EHR Work for You
12:50 PM – 2:00 PM
Product Theater Session: Advancing Trauma Surgery and Patient Care: What's Now, What's New, and What's Next! (Non-CME), Presented by Smith + Nephew
Speakers: Jaideep Banerjee, Ph.D., MSL-BC, BCMAS; Christine Kowalczewski, Ph.D.; Sarah Richards, DPM, FFPM, RCPS (Glasg)
2:10 PM – 5:30 PM
Session IIIA: Papers 9–18
2:10 PM – 5:30 PM
Session IIIB: Papers 19–28
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Exhibits Open
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Welcome Reception with Exhibitors
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
WITS Reception

Thursday, September 17

6:15 AM – 7:15 AM
Networking Breakfast
6:15 AM – 7:15 AM
Committee Meetings II
ACS Program Directors · Critical Care Committee · International Relations Committee · MIT Committee · Palliative Care Committee
7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Registration
7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Exhibit Hours
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
7:15 AM – 9:30 AM
AAST Donor Café
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Session IV: Papers 29–34
9:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Break
9:50 AM – 11:05 AM
Session V: Panel I – "Robotics: Forging the Future of Robotic Acute Care Surgery in 2026 and Beyond"
9:50 AM – 2:30 PM
AAST Donor Café
11:05 AM – 11:30 AM
Session VI: Scholarship Presentations
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Session VII: Fitts Lecture – "Get Off My Lawn!"
Presenter: Martin A. Croce, MD
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Session VIII: Poster Session
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
Product Theater Session: Advances in Thoracic Irrigation for Hemothorax Management (Non-CME), Presented by CLR Medical
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Grab n' Go Lunch with Exhibitors
1:45 PM – 2:33 PM
Session IX: Quickshot Session I (1–8)
2:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Scholarship Add-on Session
2:45 PM – 5:45 PM
AAST Mastery of Acute Care Surgery Course
2:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Sources and Practical Strategies for Funding Acute Care Surgery Research
2:45 PM – 5:45 PM
How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Surgical Practice
2:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Large Scale Combat Operations Tabletop Exercise
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
JTACS Editorial Board Meeting
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Leadership Academy
3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Industry Symposium: Reimagining Traumatic Shock Treatment Through Early, Safer Partial Aortic Hemorrhage Control (Non-CME), Presented by Prytime Medical Devices
Speaker: M. Chance Spalding, DO, PhD, FACSM
3:15 PM – 5:45 PM
Industry Symposium: Da Vinci Acute Care - Beyond the Basics Quick Hit Series (Non-CME), Presented by Intuitive Surgical
Speaker: TBD
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
SCCPDS Board of Directors Meeting
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Associate Member Business Meeting
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Leadership Academy Reception
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Associate Member Happy Hour

Friday, September 18

6:15 AM – 7:15 AM
International Attendee Breakfast
6:15 AM – 7:15 AM
Committee Meetings III
Acute Care Surgery Committee · Associate Member Council · Communications Committee · Disaster Committee · Military Liaison Committee · Patient Assessment Committee
7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Registration
7:00 AM – 1:45 PM
Exhibit Hours
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
7:15 AM – 12:00 PM
AAST Donor Café
7:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Session X: Papers 35–41
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
AAST Pipeline Program Workshop
9:50 AM – 1:45 PM
NEW! Build Your Own T-shirt! (Exhibit Hall)
9:50 AM – 10:30 AM
Break
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Session XI: Expert Surgeon Lecture – "Evolving management of pancreatitis - where does it leave the surgeon?"
Presenter: Brendan C. Visser, MD
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Session XII: Panel II – "Where Practice Meets Evidence: What We Should Be Doing and What We Still Don't Know"
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Product Theater Session: NexoBrid® (anacaulase-bcdb): Advancing Eschar Removal for Friction Burn Injuries in Acute and Trauma Care (Non-CME), Presented by Vericel Corporation
Speakers: W. Preston Hewgley, MD; Carrie McGroarty, PA-C, MPAS, EdD
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
AI Use in Scientific Writing: A JTACS Lunch Session
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Fostering Resilience in Geriatric Acute Care Surgery: Integrating ACS Geriatric Surgery Verification Principles Into Trauma and Emergency General Surgery Quality Programs
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Life After the ICU: Recovery, Resilience, and Long-Term Outcomes
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Not Just a Faster Horse: How the AI Transformation in Healthcare Will Create New Opportunities for Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Profit and Purpose in Acute Care Surgery: Growth Strategies and Maintaining Financial Health
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
The AAST Playbook: How to Turn Engagement into Research, Leadership, and Career Growth
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
The Nuts and Bolts of Emergency General Surgery Verification: Building, Implementing, and Maturing EGS Programs
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
TSACO Editorial Meeting
1:45 PM – 4:45 PM
Session XIIIA: Papers 42–50
1:45 PM – 4:25 PM
Session XIIIB: Papers 51–58
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
AAST Business Meeting
7:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Reception
7:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Auction and Banquet

Saturday, September 19

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
New Member Breakfast
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast
7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Registration (if needed)
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Session XIV: Quickshot Session II (9–17)
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM
Break
9:00 AM – 10:14 AM
Session XIV (cont.): Quickshot Session II (18–26)
10:14 AM
Meeting Adjourned
Military Educational Symposium · September 15, 2026

Honor their legacy. Advance the mission.

The 4th Annual AAST Military Fallen Surgeons Education Symposium opens with welcoming remarks, the Presentation of Colors and Fallen Comrades Table, and opening remarks from the AAST President, Kimberly Davis, MD, MBA. The day features the Region 13 COT Resident Paper Competition across two sessions.

Along with the above will include two panel sessions: Panel Session I, "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way: Successes, Failures, and Pearls for Your First Leadership Position" and Panel Session II, "Spectacular OCONUS Cases: Leveraging Military Medicine." The COL Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., MD, Lecture titled, "Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs" will be presented by Stephen Ferrara, MD.

The program concludes with the AAST Always Remember Fund and Region 13 Trauma Paper Competition Results and Awards, followed by a cocktail reception.

4th Annual Military Fallen Surgeons Educational Symposium

Hotel & Travel

Host Hotel

Hyatt Regency Dallas

300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207

214-651-1234

Group Rate: $279 single/double per night, plus tax (currently 17.30%)

Check-in: 4:00 PM · Check-out: 11:00 AM

Key Deadlines

Hotel Reservation Deadline

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Cancellation: 48 hours before arrival to avoid one night's fee

Credit card required to guarantee (not charged at booking).

Airport and Air Travel

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

~17.5 miles (~20 minutes depending on traffic)

No hotel shuttle. Car services and taxis available.

United Airlines

800-426-1122

Code: ZRPV686526

Enter ZRPV686526 at united.com for meeting discount.

Southwest Airlines

Book via SWABIZ for AAST discount. Valid for travel 9/9/2026 to 9/20/2026.

Ground Transportation and Parking

Taxi and ride share (Lyft/Uber) available from DFW. Cab fares average ~$55.

Hotel Parking

Valet: Valet Parking: overnight guest — $50+ tax

Self-Parking: Available – contact hotel at 214-651-1234

Car Rental Discounts

Avis: J157617

Budget: S274070

Hotel Dining

Coffee's Post — Quick bites and snacks to-go

Parrino's — Italian

Centennial — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Monduel's — Bar fare

Crown Block — Steakhouse atop Reunion Tower (walking distance)

Dining to Go — Order via guest room phone or hotel app

Things to Do in Dallas

  • Dealey Plaza & The Sixth Floor Museum
  • Dallas Arts District
  • World-class BBQ and dining
  • Reunion Tower (walking distance from hotel)
  • Birthplace of the frozen margarita

Mother's Room

New Moms! If you'll be using AAST's Mother's Room at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, the hotel has a partner for shipping your necessary supplies, www.MilkStork.com. Simply visit their website to place your order and MilkStork will send your shipment directly to your home or to the hotel, for you to retrieve when you arrive. The Hyatt Regency Dallas has a freezer at the front desk that can store your containers, and when you are ready to leave the meeting, pack up your return shipment and MilkStork will manage the rest.

Please note the fee associated with this service is your responsibility; payment information is outlined when you place your order.

Women in Trauma Surgery

Build community, grow your career

and connect with surgeons who get it.

Women in Trauma Surgery (WITS) provides networking, mentorship, and career development for an international community of surgeons committed to acute care. WITS members connect at AAST meetings, gather virtually with international colleagues, and join quarterly webinars on leadership, mentorship, surgical education, and work-life balance.

Join us in Dallas for the WITS Reception during the 85th Annual Meeting, and register for upcoming webinars including 'Life Hacks' on August 5 and fall session on November 12, 2026. Open to any surgeon engaged in acute care surgery. No cost to participate in webinars.

AAST Virtual Grand Rounds

Tune in to an AAST Virtual Grand Rounds Webinar

Discover the forefront of surgical expertise and critical care advancements.

MAY 27
Palliative Care Committee
JUN 10
Presidential Grand Rounds
JUN 17
Experts on the Hot Seat with Baylor College of Medicine
JUL 8
Associate Member Council
JUL 22
Injury Prevention Committee
AUG 5
Palliative Care Committee
AUG 19
Healthcare Economics Committee
SEP 2
Injury Prevention & Geriatrics Committees
OCT 7
Experts on the Hot Seat with Vanderbilt University Medical Center
OCT 21
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
NOV 4
Disaster Committee
NOV 18
Experts on the Hot Seat with the Pediatrics Committee

Exhibitors

As of June 5, 2026

Acera Surgical
ACS Committee on Trauma
ACS EGS-VP
American Board of Surgery
American Trauma Society
Army Medicine
Aroa Biosurgery
Beeken Biomedical
Biodynamic Research Corporation (BRC)
Boston Scientific
Calmoseptine, Inc.
Cerus Corporation
CLR Medical
Coalition for National Trauma Research
Defense Health Agency
DePuy Synthes
Fistula Solution Corporation
Front Line Medical Technologies Inc.
Gore & Associates
Haemonetics
The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention
HemoSonics
Humacyte Global Inc
INTEGRIS Health
Intuitive Surgical
InventoRR MD Inc
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Kerecis LLC
KLS Martin Group
Mesh Suture, Inc.
National Quality Systems, Inc
Prytime Medical Devices
Quality In Flow, Inc
Ronin Surgical Corp.
Samaritan's Purse
Smith+Nephew
Southmedic Inc
Synapse Biomedical
TITAN CSR | ASR Systems
Trauma Center Association of America
Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open
TRAUMAGEL
University at Buffalo Surgical Critical Care Fellowship
Urgo Medical
Velico Medical
Vericel Corporation
Zimmer Biomet

Registration & Policies

Register for the 85th Annual Meeting

Join trauma surgeons, acute care surgeons, and surgical critical care physicians in Dallas for cutting-edge education and networking.

Additional Fee Sessions

Pre-sessions, add-on sessions, the Emergency Surgery Course, and the Military Educational Symposium require additional fees. The Banquet ticket is separate.

Registration Dates and Times

Grand Ballroom Registration Desk, located on the Ballroom Level

Tuesday, September 157:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, September 166:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday, September 177:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday, September 187:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday, September 197:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Cancellation Policy

Requests for refunds must be made in writing and received on or before Saturday, August 1, 2026. There is a $150 processing fee for all refunds and returned checks. Cancellations and registration postmarked after the deadline date will not be eligible for refunds. Please submit all written cancellation requests to Registration Services at registration@facs.org. Conference attendee substitution is permitted and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. AAST reserves the right to cancel any regularly scheduled session prior to the start of the meeting.

Badge & Ticket Policy

All AAST name badges and event tickets are non-transferable. Badges must be worn at all times INCLUDING the Banquet. All attendees over the age of two (2) must have a badge to enter the Banquet. If you purchased additional sessions, the information will be tracked through the bar code on your badge. Badges MUST be presented for any sessions that require additional payment. If you did not purchase a session, you will not be admitted. Banquet tickets are nonrefundable.

Solicitation Policy

The AAST strictly prohibits the solicitation and distribution of products and equipment at the AAST Annual Meeting in educational sessions or in the main foyer near educational sessions from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Wednesday - Friday and 8:00 am – 11:00 am on Saturday. All company products and equipment business MUST be conducted in the exhibit hall area with official exhibitors to the AAST Annual Meeting. Non-exhibiting company personnel are prohibited from soliciting AAST attendees at any time during the meeting. Please report any unauthorized solicitation to AAST staff immediately.

Filming and Photography

By attending the AAST Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress of Acute Care Surgery, you are participating in an event where photography, audio recording, and video recording may occur. By agreeing to these terms, you consent to photography, audio recording, video recording, and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for promotional purposes, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by AAST and its representatives. You release AAST, its employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or audio recordings, and you waive all rights to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use of these materials. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by AAST or the person or entity designated to do so by AAST.

Holds Harmless

On behalf of themselves and any individuals they are registering, the registrant acknowledges that travel to and attendance at in-person meetings entails the risk of contracting communicable diseases. The registrant agrees to waive and hold harmless the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, the American College of Surgeons, the facility, and each of their agents from any liability, damages, or expenses arising from travel to or attendance at the event. The registrant further agrees to follow all health and safety protocols announced by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma or the facility. By completing the registration, the registrant confirms they are authorized to make these agreements on behalf of each individual being registered.

Schedule subject to change. Please check conference app and online schedule for most up-to-date schedule and room names.