Presidential address. Self-assessment and self-education.

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF Colon and Rectal Surgeons has a n u m b e r of impor t an t functions. Certainly we enjoy being toge ther with a g roup o f people who engage in similar professional activities, to meet with old fr iends and with new ones. A n o t h e r impor tan t funct ion of the Society is that o f represent ing our specia l ty a nd p r o m o t i n g r e c o g n i t i o n and s ta tus among collegial societies, before the public, and, if necessary, before governmenta l agencies. The Society is well r ep resen ted nationally, with representa t ion on the Council of Medical Specialty Societies, the American College of Surgeons, and its Advisory Council in Colon and Rectal Surgery, its Board of Governors , and its Cont inuing and Graduate Medical Educat ion Commit tees . We are also represen ted in the American Medical Association th rough its Section on Colon and Rectal Su rge ry . We are r e p r e s e n t e d on the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and, indirectly th rough them, on the American Board of Surgery, on the Residency Review Commit tees , and on the American Board of Medical Specialties. Such widespread represen ta t ion and recogni t ion o f o u r specialty would be impossible without a s t rong American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Both the social and representa t ive functions of ou r Society are impor t an t and essential, but, in my opinion, the major reason for ou r existence lies in this Society's absolute commi tmen t to quality cont inuing medical education. T h e Annual Scientific Session which you are now attending is designed totally as an educat ional experience; the original papers, the symposia, the scientific exhibits, the pos tgraduate courses all have been assembled for the singular purpose of fulfilling that co remitment.