Nov. 9, 2018

The American College of Surgeons recently inducted Karen Brasel, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., professor of surgery and assistant dean for graduate medical education, OHSU School of Medicine, into its Academy of Master Surgeon Educators™. Dr. Brasel is among a group of 91 esteemed surgeons from seven countries selected into membership or associate membership. The Academy's first induction ceremony took place Oct. 3 in Chicago.

Dr. Brasel is a distinguished surgical educator whose experience includes numerous leadership roles in surgery associations and at OHSU. She is director of the general surgery residency program, vice chair of education in the Department of Surgery, head of the Transition to Practice Program, and served as GME chief education officer through June 2017. She was appointed assistant dean for GME in the School of Medicine in December 2017. In this role, Dr. Brasel develops and implements GME procedures, policy and oversight of trainees and programs.

Her numerous service roles include active membership in the Association for Program Directors in Surgery, and membership on the association's Research Committee. She was contributing author and sub-committee chair for the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP®) and international director of ATLS®. Dr. Brasel served two years as chair of the Curriculum Committee for the Association of Surgical Education and has served on several committees for the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. 

Dr. Brasel's clinical practice is trauma/critical care and emergency general surgery. Her research focuses on surgical palliative care, ethics, education, and quality of life after trauma.

Developed under the auspices of the ACS Division of Education, the Academy recognizes surgeon educators who have devoted their careers to surgical education. Dr. Brasel was selected as a member following stringent peer review. The Academy's mission is to play a leadership role in advancing the science and practice of education across all surgical specialties, promoting the highest achievements in the lifetimes of surgeons.  

"With highest quality patient care through education being the paramount theme of the American College of Surgeons, the establishment of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is an important new chapter for the ACS, the world's largest organization for surgeons," said L.D. Britt, M.D., M.P.H., past president of the ACS, and co-chair of the Steering Committee of the Academy.

Visit the ACS website for a listing of all surgeons honored with selection into the Academy.

Photo courtesy American College of Surgeons

Inaugural class: Dr. Karen Brasel (second row, center) is a member of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators™.