I am a good teacher, maybe even a really good teacher, is that OK?

Abstract

This Association for Surgical Education (ASE) means more and more to its members each day. The association’s annual meeting provides a place where one can come each year to reacquaint oneself with old colleagues, to make new friends and associates, to learn, and to energize one’s educational batteries. The ASE is a place where one shares ideas through work on committees, through printed and electronic educational materials,1 and through dialogue with fellow surgical educators throughout the year. The ASE is a place where one can advance careers, through research training such as the Surgical Education Research Fellowship program, through research funded by the ASE and ASE Foundation grants programs, and through presentation of work at annual meetings and in subsequent scientific publications. As President of this association for the last year, I have had the distinct enjoyment of coming to my office every day and seeing the gavel of the ASE President on my desk. This gavel has reminded me of the terrific opportunities this association has provided me with over the last 15 years, and the major responsibilities it has entrusted me with over the last 12 months.