Kentucky Chapter’s 2026 Annual Meeting

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirements of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program.

ACCME Disclosure Statement

In accordance with ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American College of Surgeons requires that anyone in a position to control the content of this educational activity—including planners, speakers, authors, discussants, and moderators—disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. Please note that first authors were responsible for collecting and submitting disclosure information on behalf of all contributing authors, as applicable.

View Complete Disclosure List (PDF) ►

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

This activity is intended for physicians. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Identify treatment strategies (surgical, medical, and radiation-based) for clinically occult and clinically apparent nodal disease in breast cancer.

• Demonstrate current approaches to the management of uncomplicated diverticulitis.

• Assess updated shock management guidelines.

• Describe leadership opportunities for surgeons beyond the operating room.

• Identify avenues for advocacy involvement at the state and national levels.

• Analyze optimal management approaches for choledocholithiasis.

• Recognize the evolving educational needs of adult learners.

• Evaluate state-level systems aimed at improving the quality of cancer and trauma care in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

ACCME Disclosure Statement

In accordance with ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American College of Surgeons requires that anyone in a position to control the content of this educational activity—including planners, speakers, authors, discussants, and moderators—disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. Please note that first authors were responsible for collecting and submitting disclosure information on behalf of all contributing authors, as applicable.

Friday, August 14, 2026 Agenda
The Campbell House

7:00 AM - Executive Council Meeting Invited guests only

7:45 AM - Breakfast

8:00 AM - Welcome & Opening Remarks - Alexis Nickols, MD, FACS

8:10 AM - Keynote Address - Shannon Marie Foster, MD, FACS. Founder, SMF Facilitation

"Communication, Conflict, and Culture: The Foundation of Every High-Performing Team"

9:00 AM - Resident Paper Competition Presentations

·         Emily Cassim, MD, University of Kentucky

“Patient Quality of Life Outcomes Following Cytoreductive Surgery and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: Results from a Phase II Investigator Initiated Clinical Trial in Patients Receiving Weight Based vs Flat Dose Mitomycin C”

·         Blake DiPaola, MD, University of Kentucky

“Artificial Intelligence in Residency: A Survey of Use, Trust, Privacy Concerns and Educational Gaps”

“Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Procedure in Acute Venous Mesenteric Ischemia: A Case Report”

·         Ben Duggan, MD, University of Kentucky

“Parastomal Hernia CPT Coding Changes and Reimbursement Outcomes Comparisons”

·         Megan Libke, MD, University of Louisville

“Short Duration, Intensive Robotic Education and Resident Attitudes Towards Robotic Surgery”

·         Quinn Piamonte, MD, University of Louisville

“Effect of Extent of Axillary Surgery on Overall Survival in Inflammatory Breast Cancer”

“Treatment and Outcome Implications of a Positive Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in T1b/T2a Melanoma Patients”

·         Krista Spear, MD, University of Louisville

“Advanced Age Trauma Patients with Dementia Add New Challenges for Management and Increased Mortality after Traumatic Injuries”

11:00 AM - Medical Student Poster Presentations

• University of Kentucky: Nicole Marker, William “Grant” Kelley, Nora Habib, McKayla Remines, Chloe Deskins, Maya Chang, Killian McCarthy, Daniel Hays, Lydia Grace McDougal

• University of Louisville: Ethan Tiller, John Fernandez, Bethany Selby

12:00 PM - Lunch and Awards Presentation

1:00 PM - Committee on Trauma (CoT) Update - Andrew Bernard, MD, FACS

1:15 PM - Commission on Cancer Update - Alan Mullins, MD, FACS

1:30 PM - AVFs for General Surgeons - Gerald "Jack" Cheadle, MD, RPVI

2:00 PM - Giving Feedback - Margaret "Maggie" Griffen, MD, FACS

2:30 PM - Refreshment Break

2:45 PM - Surgical Quality Panel

·         Jessica Reynolds, MD, FACS, Emergency General Surgery ACS Verification

·         Mike Egger, MD, FACS, ACS QVP Program

·         Rachel Rodriguez, MD, MS, NSQIP/TQIP Update

3:30 PM - Telehealth & Remote Clinical Support for Surgeons Panel

·         Matthew Bozeman, MD, Burn Remote Consultations

·         Michael Cavnar, MD, FACS, Cancer Care, International Surgical Consultations

·         Hillary Simon, DO Da Vinci Remote Support Applications

4:30 PM - Advocacy Update - Gov. Murielle Brohez, MD, FACS   

5:00 PM - Passing of the Gavel | Adjournment & Happy Hour