Message from the President:
Anthony P. McDonald, M.D.

Greetings! When I got the call from Pat O'Leary one year ago that the Woodward Society Council had nominated me as president-elect, I was pleasantly surprised. Not having attended a college meeting in several years and having settled into my new career as a junior faculty member on the Veterans Administration staff toiling away in relative obscurity, I wondered how my name surfaced. Nonetheless, with a sense of déjà vu, I accepted the invitation. It is fitting, in a way, since I am one of the few former UF residents who has had the opportunity to work for all four of our chairmen in some capacity, from Dr. Woodward to Dr. Behrns. It brings my career full circle since my return to the department as a faculty member at the VA several years ago, and I am humbled by the honor.

Thank you to everyone who came to the annual Copeland Dinner in Chicago. I was happy to see such an excellent turnout, with current and former residents as well as young and old faculty in attendance. Our outgoing president, Dr. Carmen Solarzano, was gracious in her remarks, while Minnesotan Dr. George Sarosi, the residency director, assured us that all the residents are "above average and good looking" with significant accomplishments in the research and clinical arenas. Several of them presented their work at this year's college meeting. Dr. Kevin Behrns provided a great overview of the department's many activities and accomplishments in the last year.

Our spring meeting will be held March 1-2, 2013 in Gainesville. Approximately six hours of Continuing Medical Education will be available throughout the weekend. On Friday, we will offer CME courses along with networking opportunities and a "State of the Department" update. The day will conclude with a social and dinner. On Saturday, CME courses will continue in the morning. That afternoon you will have the opportunity to watch Billy Donovan's highly ranked Gator basketball team play Alabama, coached by Billy's former assistant, Anthony Grant. I hope to see many of you there.

I have had the opportunity to publicly voice my affection for the Woodward Society several times in the last year. It is our connection with the department that launched our careers and the mentors and colleagues who fostered our development as surgeons. Whether you are a resident of Dr. Woodward, Dr. Copeland, Dr. Cance or Dr. Behrns, the Woodward Society is our link to all of these men and this department to which we have given mightily and received so much in return. We exist for fellowship and to support and encourage the development of the Department of Surgery and its residents. I appreciate this honor to serve the Society in the twilight of my career and welcome all of you to be active and participate.

Hope to see you in Gainesville in March.

P.S. If you have not paid your dues for 2012-2013 or wish to make an end-of-year gift to honor a surgeon who mentored you, please click here.

UF College of Medicine, Department of Surgery
P.O. Box 100286 Gainesville, FL 32610 

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