Mission Statement and History of FSS-FSGS

Mission Statement and Goals

• Promote closer association of its members
• Enlighten and direct public opinion about General Surgery and its role in the practice of medicine
• Foster high standards of training.
• Encourage State and National activities that will further the interests of General Surgeons, and which maintain and strengthen the professional and socioeconomic aspects of General Surgery
• Cooperate with other state, national, and international organizations of similar aims and purposes
• Encourage cost-containment in the practice of General Surgery
• Work together with third-party payers resolving surgical fee problems
• Assist members in defense of non-meritorious malpractice claims
• Advance and provide continuing medical education credit
• To further the mutual goals of the American Society of General Surgeons (ASGS)
• Protect the right of General Surgeons to perform all surgical procedures for which they are trained by interacting with hospital staff bylaws and credentials committees
• Maintain the practice parameters of General Surgery and work to prevent incursions by limited surgical groups
• To foster the highest standard of quality patient care

History

FSGS was created in 1958 as the Florida Association of General Surgeons by a small group of central Florida surgeons. Over the past 50 years the society has evolved along with the practice of medicine. To reflect these changes the name was changed in 1991 to the Florida Association of General Surgeons and again in 2007 to the current. The current name accurately reflects the focus on the practice of general surgery.