The Public Relations Committee is highlighting a different colorectal condition each month to create awareness and provide accurate information for patients.

To highlight each condition, ASCRS will post on social media and reach out to related organizations to share the posts. We encourage Society members to share these posts and other ASCRS patient-focused information from our website with your patients.

In January, the focus is colon cancer. Please look for posts on Facebook and Twitter and share them with your network. The ASCRS website has a wealth of information on colon cancer, including a patient education webpage and video, as well as a Clinical Practice Guideline for surgeons. We encourage you to use these resources for up-to-date information on colon cancer.

The ASCRS is delighted to announce that the 2016 ASCRS Annual Reception and Dinner Dance will include a guest appearance from Hollywood's very own, Dave Coulier.

Best known for his role as Uncle Joey on the hit television show, Full House, Dave is also the voice behind characters on beloved cartoons Scooby Doo, The Jetson's, and The Muppet Babies. Dave's stand-up routine has entertained audiences across the country and he's appeared on The Tonight Show, HBO's Detroit Comedy Jam, and HBO's Comic Relief at Radio City Music Hall. Dave is a resident of Los Angeles and enjoys flying, hockey, and golf in his free time.

On February 26, Netflix will release the new Fuller House spinoff series, in which Dave will reprise his role as Joey.

The Annual Reception and Dinner Dance will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE Hotel. Dinner Dance tickets are available for purchase with Annual Scientific Meeting registration. Full-paying members and Fellows of the Society will receive one complimentary ticket with their registration (must indicate plan to attend on registration form).

An exceptional lineup of workshops and educational sessions focused on colon and rectal surgery is planned for the Annual Scientific Meeting April 30 – May 4, 2016, in Los Angeles, CA. Learn more about the meeting at www.fascrs.org/ascrs16.

CREST Core modules cover Core Subjects in Colorectal Surgery. This module addresses the anatomy, diagnosis, non-operative and operative treatment of anal fissures.

Upon completion of this module, participants should be able to:

• Describe the etiology of anal fissure.
• Describe the anatomic location of a classic anal fissure.
• Describe the signs and symptoms of anal fissures.
• Describe the indications, contraindications, limitations and complications of non-operative management of fissures.
• Describe indications, contraindications, and complications of lateral internal sphincterotomy, anoplasty, fissurectomy and anal dilatation.

As a Core Subject, it is eligible for 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

The ASCRS Online Learning Center provides access to both CREST and CARSEP. Using your ASCRS website login, you will have access to up-to-date information on colorectal diseases.

Constipation is a very common condition. In some cases it may reflect a more serious problem. This Core Subject module will review the definition, work-up and treatment of constipation.

Upon completion of this module, participants should be able to:

• Define constipation and its prevalence.
• Identify the different classifications of constipation.
• Explain the work-up for constipation.
• Explain the different treatment (surgical and non surgical) options for constipation and when to appropriately use them.

As a Core Subject, it is eligible for 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

The ASCRS Online Learning Center provides access to both CREST and CARSEP. Using your ASCRS website login, you will have access to up-to-date information on colorectal diseases.

This module will review the pathophysiology of hemorrhoids and management options for hemorrhoidal disease.

Upon completion of this module, participants should be able to:

• Evaluate the pathophysiology of hemorrhoids.
• Describe office based and operative management options for hemorrhoidal disease.
• Evaluate compiled outcomes data from systematic reviews for more recent procedures for hemorrhoids.
• Recognize and compare the risks and adverse outcomes of the various procedures for hemorrhoids.
• Consider the options to reduce pain after open hemorrhoidectomy.

The ASCRS Online Learning Center provides access to both CREST and CARSEP. Using your ASCRS website login, you will have access to up-to-date information on colorectal diseases.