Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Assistant Professor Zain Hashmi, M.D., FACS, has been appointed to the prestigious Future Trauma Leaders (FTL) program of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) after a competitive application process.

 The FTL program is a two-year program for early career trauma and acute care surgeons. The program will give participants exciting opportunities for growth, mentoring, and networking. Hashmi will have the opportunity to:

• • Be paired with an expert mentor
  • Meet with thought-leaders in different program areas
  • Join a work group related to his research interests
  • Engage with state and regional committees
  • Gain a better understanding of advocacy issues facing the Alabama trauma system
  • Participate in a new member welcome and Mentoring Day event with COT executive leadership

Hashmi is interested in current challenges faced by rural trauma systems, as well as innovative strategies such as telehealth. Earlier this year, Hashmi was published in JAMA Surgery with an article making the case for teletrauma, or the utilization of telehealth technologies in the care of injured patients, specifically in rural areas.

“I excitedly look forward to working and learning from expert mentors to improve the care of the injured and will be delighted to avail this tremendous opportunity for personal and professional growth,” Hashmi said.

Hashmi’s term will last two years. In March of 2024 he’ll be assigned his mentor and will attend the COT Annual Meeting in Chicago.