Sweeney John F
Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Am Surg. 2025 Aug;91(8):1225-1232. doi: 10.1177/00031348251350999. Epub 2025 Jun 19.
Surgeons have always been at the forefront of transformative change in medicine-driven by a unique blend of technical expertise, decisiveness, and visionary leadership. The current article explores the evolving role of the surgeon as not only a practitioner but as an innovator and change agent. Drawing on the rich legacy of the Southeastern Surgical Congress, this address honors the enduring impact of its past presidents whose forward-thinking leadership helped shape modern surgical practice-from groundbreaking procedural advancements to innovations in education, health care delivery, and advocacy. Surgery is entering an era of rapid technological progress. The advances occurring in artificial intelligence, robotics, precision medicine, and digital health are significant and will shape the way we provide care in the future. Because of this the need for engaged, ethical, and collaborative surgeon-leaders has never been greater. This address challenges the surgical community to embrace innovation not as a trend but as a responsibility, encouraging a culture that values curiosity, accountability, and long-term impact over short-term gains. Future leaders within the Southeastern Surgical Congress must champion innovation that improves patient care, expands patient access, and elevates our profession. The future of surgery will be defined by those willing to lead with vision, humility, and purpose-and the Southeastern Surgical Congress is poised to help shape that future.
外科医生一直处于医学变革的前沿，这得益于他们独特的技术专长、果断决策和有远见的领导力。当前这篇文章探讨了外科医生角色的演变，他们不仅是从业者，更是创新者和变革推动者。借鉴东南外科大会的丰富遗产，本次演讲向其历任主席的持久影响致敬，他们具有前瞻性的领导力帮助塑造了现代外科实践——从开创性的手术进展到教育、医疗服务和宣传方面的创新。外科正进入一个技术快速进步的时代。人工智能、机器人技术、精准医学和数字健康领域的进展意义重大，将塑造我们未来提供医疗服务的方式。因此，对积极参与、有道德且具备协作精神的外科领导者的需求从未如此迫切。本次演讲向外科界提出挑战，要将创新视为一种责任而非一种潮流，鼓励一种重视好奇心、责任感以及长期影响而非短期利益的文化。东南外科大会未来的领导者必须倡导能改善患者护理、扩大患者就医机会并提升我们专业水平的创新。外科的未来将由那些愿意以远见、谦逊和目标引领的人来定义，而东南外科大会已准备好助力塑造这一未来。
