Colombian Surgeon Elected President-Elect of EAST, a Key Association in Trauma Surgery in the US

Paula Ferrada, a Colombian surgeon, elected President-Elect of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) Photo: Courtesy

Colombian Surgeon Elected President-Elect of EAST, a Key Association in Trauma Surgery in the US

TL;DR

  • Paula Ferrada, a Colombian surgeon, has been elected President-Elect of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST).
  • EAST is a highly influential organization in trauma surgery and acute care in the United States.
  • This position places Ferrada in the line of succession for the presidency and involves defining strategic priorities.
  • Trauma is identified as a major global public health challenge, causing significant death and disability, particularly in young populations.
  • The economic burden of trauma includes direct medical costs and indirect costs from lost productivity and income.
  • Ferrada's career has developed across Colombia and the US, with significant leadership experience in complex hospital environments.
  • EAST plays a central role in developing clinical guidelines, promoting multicenter research, and training leaders in hospital settings.
  • Ferrada emphasizes the need for systems that continuously learn, measure, and improve to address trauma effectively.