Recap of the 2024 Illinois Surgical Conference

Thank you to all who joined us at the 2024 ISC Event

Thank you to everyone who attended our 5th Annual Illinois Surgical Conference in April. We were pleased to once again co-host this event along with the American College of Surgeons and the Illinois Surgical Society in Springfield, IL.

New this year, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a wet lab—Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration—hosted by the Illinois Surgical Society, the day before the conference. The lab was followed by a dinner at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

At the event, we were fortunate to have a diverse group of speakers, including ISQIC Director Dr. Anne Stey, who shared the podium with Dr. Ami Shah of Rush. The two presented “Social Drivers of Health (SDOHs): Learnings and Experiences”. Dr. Stey kicked the presentation off by giving insight and background, while Dr. Shah shared Rush’s SDOH experience. Other ISQIC members who presented included Dr. Amy Halverson, who shared the collaborative’s work among rural hospitals, and John Slocum, who presented during the Founder’s Competition on the Collaborative’s Trauma Re-Triage Project. Mr. Slocum took home 2nd place in that competition. Other winners included Drs. Emma Ryan and Charesa Smith from UIC took 1st and 3rd place, respectively. The conference closed with an insightful Legislative Panel and Town Hall. All speakers did an excellent job, and the feedback about the conference was very positive.

This annual event is a great opportunity to hear about the successful quality improvement projects hospitals have developed and implemented in the area. It was also a chance to learn from experts in the field about related topics, such as the social drivers of health, which will be a hot topic for hospital systems this year, as CMS has now issued guidelines making it mandatory in 2024. For those who attended, we hope you were inspired, motivated, and excited about all the great work you and your colleagues are doing. We look forward to working with you and our partners again next year!