The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is saddened to report the passing of Dr. Bertram Portin on January 13, 2018. Dr. Portin was ASCRS president in 1981 – 82.

Born in 1927, Dr. Portin received his medical degree from State University of New York Buffalo in 1953 and completed his general surgery residency at Edwin Meyer Memorial Hospital in 1959.

He received ABCRS certification 1961 and become an ASCRS Fellow in 1964. His esteemed career included Clinical Professor of Surgery and Chair, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at SUNY Buffalo and Chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery at Senter Hospital, Buffalo, NY.

At the 1982 ASCRS Annual Meeting, Dr. Portin’s Presidential Address focused on the necessity of continuing medical education.

Dr. Portin is survived by wife Rhoda, children Robert, Susan and Mark, and five grandchildren. Memorial services were held.

The ASCRS Executive Council meets throughout the year to discuss and vote on important matters that shape the direction of the Society. To help keep members informed, ASCRS is publishing a monthly update online that highlights the Council’s latest activities.

To access the highlights, log in at the top of this page and then scroll down to the right column, where you will see "Executive Council Minute Highlights."

To receive CME or MOC credits, simply go to www.pswebsurvey.com/ASCRS. Once you have completed your evaluations and MOC posttests, you have the ability to print your own CME and MOC certificates.

You won't want to miss the Annual Meeting Photo Gallery! Check out the photos of you and your colleagues taken during the Boston Meeting and purchase your favorites.

Review the list of ASCRS and Regional Society award receipients. Lastly find out who was honored with the Public Relations Committee National Media Award, the David Jagelman, MD Award and the Local Hero Award.

The Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) awarded Robotic Surgical Technology Grants to four recipients this year.

Through funding generously provided by Intuitive Surgical, the following individuals were awarded $50,000 research grants:

• Fergal Fleming, MD - Total Healthcare Utilization Costs Following Robotic Colorectal Surgery
  
• Steven Lee-Kong, MD - Effects of a Simulation-based Robotic Surgery Training Curriculum on Operative Performance
  
• Anne Lin, MD - Haptic Feedback During Robotic Pelvic Dissection on Autonomic Foundation Preservation
  
• Yi-Quin Nancy You, MD - Inflammatory Response and Circulating Tumor Elements After Robotic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

The Investigative Robotic Surgery Grants are intended to stimulate original research in robotic surgery for either "bench" or clinical research and the awards were based on the scientific merit of the project.

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) is seeking volunteers to serve on a number of ASCRS committees for the 2016-2017 year.

In preparation for the upcoming year's activities, the ASCRS is asking for volunteers to help meet the ever-changing needs of the society. Serving on a committee is one of the best ways to get involved and make an impact in the field of colon and rectal surgery.

If you would like to be considered for an appointment to a committee, please take a few minutes to complete the Call for Volunteers Form. If you are already a committee member and would like to remain on that committee, please inform ASCRS staff.

The deadline for responding is April 1.

Once all volunteer forms are collected, they will be reviewed and appointments to committees will be made. The ASCRS will be notifying volunteers of their committee appointments this summer.