8th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery
March 13-16, 2001
General Information about the Meeting
Schedule at a Glance
Exhibitors
2002 Hands-on Courses
Appropriateness Conference
Surgeons-in-Training Scientific Session
Postgraduate Courses
Scientific Session - Friday
Scientific Session - Saturday
Gerald Marks Lecture
Industry Education Night
Invited Faculty
Lunches
Learning Center & Poster Program
Social Programs & Special Events
Tours for Accompanying Persons
Hotel Information
[Table of Contents] [General Information] [Schedule at a Glance] [Hands-on Courses] [Appropriateness Conference]
[Surgeons-in-Training Session] [Postgraduate Courses] [Scientific Sessions - Friday] [Scientific Sessions - Saturday]
[Industry Education Night] [Exhibitors] [Invited Faculty] [Lunches] [Learning Center & Poster Program]
[Social Programs & Special Events] [Accompanying Person Tours] [Hotel Information]
October, 2001
To Our Colleagues in Surgery,
We write to share our deep sense of grief and outrage with respect to the senseless acts of violence committed on September 11 in New York City, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. On behalf of everyone at SAGES and the World Congress, we want to extend our deepest sympathies to your families or friends if they were directly impacted by this tragic event.
The "A" in SAGES stands for American, yet we have more than 10% international membership and are hosting the World Congress in New York City in March, 2002. The resolve of SAGES and the World Congress leadership after this experience is to provide you, wherever you live, with an even better educational experience at the World Congress. The goal of education is the main mission of our surgical organization. We wish to provide the best educational experience for all World Congress attendees, both Americans and those who travel to our country to attend the meeting. Our resolve is just part of the tremendous patriotism that has been exhibited in the United States since the September 11 events. It indicates to us that you will have a spectacular meeting and educational experience at the 2002 World Congress. This resolve is not new but has been unveiled and revitalized by a tragedy. The concept was nicely summarized by President Lincoln so many years ago, also on a September 11.
"Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere."
– Abraham Lincoln, from the September 11, 1858 Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois.
We also wanted to remind you of the significant interval of time between the date of the attack and the World Congress (approximately 6 months), during which time some sense of normalcy will certainly return to the United States and New York City.
To you and your families,
Sincerely,
L. William Traverso, MD, SAGES President
Kenneth Forde, MD, Congress President
Lee Swanstrom, MD, Congress Program Chairman
Antonio Lacy, MD, International Program Co-Chairman