General Surgery Resident Connie Shao, M.D., has been appointed to the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) Public Policy & Advocacy Committee and Resident & Fellow Education Committee.

Shao will serve a one-year term ending in May 2022.

The SSAT is global community of GI surgeons advancing research, innovation, and advocacy to benefit interdisciplinary patient care. Its mission is to lead in advancing the science and practice of gastrointestinal surgery.

The goal of the Public Policy & Advocacy Committee is to advocate for patients and Society members to advance treatment of digestive diseases, and to nurture the development of SSAT members with expertise in the legislative and political arena. The goal of the Resident & Fellow Education Committee is to facilitate resident participation in SSAT and Annual Meeting activities.

“I look forward to learning and serving on these Committees,” said Shao. “It is a great honor to represent the UAB Department of Surgery.”