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ForwardSAAS 10th Annual Meeting and Inaugural SAAS/LSS Joint Meeting
The annual Society of Asian Academic Surgeons (SAAS)/Latino Surgical Society (LSS) conference will address critical knowledge and educational gaps in professional and leadership development for Asian and Latino surgeons in academic surgery. Despite their growing presence in the field, these groups remain underrepresented in leadership roles and face unique challenges related to mentorship, sponsorship, and navigating systemic barriers. The conference will also highlight disparities in surgical care and education, focusing on the need for culturally competent practices and the importance of increasing representation in medical education to better reflect diverse patient populations. By fostering discussions and providing actionable strategies, the conference aims to empower attendees to break through these barriers, promote equitable surgical care, and cultivate the next generation of diverse surgical leaders.
This conference addresses the persistent disparities and challenges faced by underrepresented groups in academic surgery, particularly Asian and Latino surgeons. Despite their significant contributions to the field, these groups often encounter barriers to leadership opportunities, equitable mentorship, and professional development. Additionally, the lack of diversity and cultural representation in surgical education and care impacts the ability to provide equitable, patient-centered care to an increasingly diverse population. By convening thought leaders, fostering collaboration, and offering targeted sessions on leadership, representation, and culturally competent care, the conference provides a vital platform to drive progress, promote equity, and empower the current and future generations of surgeons.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
- Interactive sessions on mastering work-life balance, impactful mentorship, and overcoming career challenges
- Discussions from senior surgical leaders on how to navigate challenges and amplify your leadership potential
- Advancements and leading-edge research that are shaping the future of surgery
- Networking opportunities with renowned surgical leaders, academic trailblazers, and multidisciplinary experts from top institutions
Target Audience
Surgeons.
Learning Objectives
- Examine the challenges and opportunities in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within academic surgical programs, and identify actionable strategies to enhance representation and mentorship.
- Identify effective strategies for professional growth and leadership development in academic surgery, and assess their role in career advancement and institutional impact.
- Integrate evidence-based practices in surgical care to address health disparities in diverse populations.
- Outline approaches to enhancing surgical education and building collaborative academic communities to support innovation, mentorship, and the dissemination of best practices in surgery.
SPECIAL INVITATION!
The Society of Asian Academic Surgeons and the Latino Surgical Society invite all surgeons to join us for a groundbreaking combined annual meeting, uniting our shared missions to cultivate, nurture, and support the advancement of Asian and Latino surgeons in academic and clinical settings. Together, we will enhance professional development, promote diversity and inclusion in surgical leadership, and foster meaningful collaborations to address issues impacting our communities. This joint gathering will provide a unique opportunity for networking, mentorship, and scholarly exchange, strengthening our collective efforts to advance academic surgery and improve the health and welfare of the populations we serve.
THE WATERFRONT BEACH RESORT, A HILTON HOTEL
A BLOCK OF ROOMS HAS BEEN RESERVED AT A SPECIAL RATE FOR ALL CONFIRMED REGISTERED ATTENDEES. BLOCK RATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR CONFIRMED REGISTERED ATTENDEES ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS THRU JULY 13, 2025.
ROOM BLOCK & RESERVATION DETAILS
Room Block Rate:
$305 + Taxes/night (Single/Double)
Room Block Rate Ends:
Early hotel reservation is suggested for confirmed registered attendees. Block rates are available on a first-come, first-served basis or until July 13, 2025.
Room Reservations:
Registered attendees can secure their stay at the conference venue, The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, online by clicking here.
Hotel check-in time: 4pm | Hotel check-out time: 11am
First night's deposit is required when reserving. in case of case of cancellation, deposit is refundable up to 3 days in advance of arrival date.
Early checkout date fee of $100 will apply to any change in planned stay, if hotel is not informed at or before check-in.
Parking
Rates reflected are per car, per day/night:
- Daily Valet Parking: $20
- Overnight Valet Parking: $38
There is no self-parking at the conference venue. Limited metered street and lot parking is available in area surrounding the conference venue.
Travel
AIRPORTS:
| Conference Venue | Airports & Distance to Venue |
|---|---|
The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel 21100 Pacific Coast Highway | SNA (John Wayne Airport): 12 miles away |
| LGB (Long Beach Airport): 20 miles away | |
| LAX (Los Angeles International Airport): 38 miles away | |
| BUR (Burbank Airport): 53 miles away | |
| ONT (Ontario International Airport): 53 miles away |
RIDESHARE:
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT: City of Hope is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CREDIT DESIGNATION: City of Hope designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 
Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
The following credit type(s) are being offered for this course:
• AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ 7.5
The following may apply AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for license renewal:
Registered Nurses: Nurses may report up to 7.5 credit hours toward the continuing education requirements for license renewal by their state Board of Registered Nurses (BRN). AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may be noted on the license renewal application in lieu of a BRN provider number.
Physician Assistants: The National Commission on Certification of Physicians Assistants states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ accredited courses are acceptable for CME requirements for recertification.
DISCLOSURE INFORMATION:
This activity has been planned and implemented in strict compliance with the accreditation requirements, standards, and policies of the ACCME. City of Hope takes responsibility for the content, quality and scientific integrity of this CME activity.
As an accredited CME provider City of Hope requires everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any ineligible company. The ACCME defines "relevant financial relationships" as financial relationships in any amount, occurring within the past 24 months, that could create a conflict of interest, and an "ineligible company" as any entity producing, marketing, selling, re-selling or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Any potential conflicts relative to the previous disclosure have been resolved.
Written disclosure of all such relevant financial relationships will be provided in the activity handout and/or syllabus. Any potential conflicts relative to the previous disclosure have been resolved.
City of Hope further encourages faculty/authors to identify investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, at first mention and where appropriate in the content.
The information and opinions presented in this activity do not constitute medical or legal advice. Health care providers must exercise their own professional judgment in their clinical practice, and when confronted with the issues discussed herein, should not substitute this curriculum for the advice of legal counsel or application of sound ethical principles.
Available Credit
- 7.50 ABS Accredited CME
- 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™City of Hope is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
City of Hope designates this SAAS 10th Annual Meeting and Inaugural SAAS/LSS Joint Meeting for a maximum of 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ requirements. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. - 7.50 Attendance
Exhibiting/Sponsorship at the SAAS 10th Annual Meeting and Inaugural SAAS/LSS Joint Meeting
City of Hope is pleased to offer the opportunity to exhibit and/or sponsor the SAAS 10th Annual Meeting and Inaugural SAAS/LSS Joint Meeting, an ACCME accredited conference, which aspires to drive lasting change that enhances diversity, equity, and excellence in surgical practice, leadership and education.
Exhibit space & sponsorship is available to companies interested in participating in this conference.
EXHIBITOR BOOTH/SPONSOR REGISTRATIONS CANNOT BE PROCESSED ONLINE.
Please contact the Department of Continuing Medical Education in order to receive more information, at [email protected].
Acknowledgment of Commercial Support: Any and all grant support will be acknowledged at the conference via signage and will be listed in the conference materials.
Price
Registration opening Soon!
Important: Both SAAS & LSS Members receive a discounted registration rate!
The Society of Asian Academic Surgeons (SAAS) and the Latino Surgical Society (LSS) invite you to join a dynamic community of surgeons committed to professional and leadership development, as well as advancing equity in surgery. As a member, you’ll be part of a collaborative network committed to advancing career growth, championing health equity, and shaping the future of surgical education, research, and patient care.
Apply for SAAS Membership here! | Apply for LSS Membership here!
| Registrant Type | Early Bird Registration (By July 21, 2025) | Regular Registration (July 22 to August 21, 2025) | Late Registration (August 22 to 31, 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active SAAS or LSS Member | $475 | $575 | $675 |
| Associate SAAS or LSS Member | $275 | $325 | $375 |
| Conference Faculty Non-Member | $850 | $950 | $1,050 |
| Trainee Non-Member | $475 | $525 | $575 |
| *Industry/Commercial Employee Attendee please read description in legend below | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| Guest "Gala Welcome Reception" Ticket | $120 | $120 | $120 |
Click here to be the FIRST TO KNOW, once registration opens up!
Registration Fee: Registration fee includes all conference sessions, CME Credit (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™) for general session, if applicable, conference meals, refreshment breaks and Gala Welcome and Farewell receptions.**
Cancellation Policy: Refund requests must be submitted in writing and postmarked no later than Thursday, August 21, 2025. A $50 processing fee will be applied for all refunds. Requests postmarked after Thursday, August 21, 2025, will not be honored. In the event of unforeseeable circumstances that lead to the cancellation by the conference organizers, all registration fees will be fully refunded.
| Cancellation Timeframe | Allowable Refund Amount |
| Before August 4, 2025 | Full registration minus processing fee |
| Between August 4 to 21, 2025 | 50% of registration minus processing fee |
| After August 21, 2025 | No refunds |
Important: Refund requests outside of a 30-day window from the transaction date will be considered on a case-by-case basis by SAAS.
For questions, contact the Department of Continuing Medical Education at [email protected] or 626-218-5622
*Industry/Commercial Employee Attendee is defined as any individual (regardless of degree) employed by a for-profit entity producing, marketing, selling, re-selling or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients, including biotech, financial, pharmaceutical, etc.
**Registered attendees are invited to attend the Gala Welcome Reception on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:30pm as well as the Farewell Reception on Friday, September 5, 2025 at 5:45pm. The receptions are included in the cost of registration for registered attendees.