TO BE A PREMIER ACADEMIC SURGICAL SOCIETY THAT STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP IN SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND PATIENT CARE WHILE PROMOTING DIVERSITY, INTEGRITY, AND INNOVATION; AND TO PROVIDE A NATIONAL FORUM FOR PRESENTING THE DEVELOPING STATE OF THE ART AND SCIENCE OF GENERAL AND (SUB)SPECIALTY SURGERY AND THE ELEVATION OF THE STANDARDS OF THE MEDICAL/SURGICAL PROFESSION.