Foundation of the AAGL Strategic Initiatives for 2023

As we plan for the future, I am pleased to announce the Foundation of the AAGL’s 2023 Top Five Strategic Initiatives. These initiatives define detailed goals and fundraising efforts that empower progress in MIGS and support the pillars and mission of the Foundation:     

Create a targeted campaign to increase Endometriosis Education for healthcare providers. The new 2023 Foundation of the AAGL (FAAGL) Award Ceremony and Gala, titled Celebrating the Science & Art of MIGS,

Endo Education Fundraiser: Celebrating the Science & Art of MIGS

Our first initiative is the Foundation’s “ThinkEndo” Endometriosis Education campaign and fundraiser. This campaign will provide toolkits to educate front-line and mid-level healthcare providers including but not limited to, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, ER doctors and nurses, pediatricians, primary care providers, gastroenterologists, urologists and OBGYNs.

Funds for this campaign will be raised through the Celebrating the Science & Art of MIGS Gala and Awards Ceremony, a red-carpet event which includes dinner, drinks, awards, music, and dancing. Tickets for this gala event will be available through the Global Congress registration.

Please save the date for the Foundation of the AAGL’s Celebration of the Science & Art of MIGS Gala and Award Ceremony, Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 7:30 pm – 11:30 pm.   

Research Grants

Our second initiative will foster ongoing, high-quality research related to Essentials in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (EMIGS). This research will lead to new data, greater insights, more publications, and ultimately advance our field’s credibility, influence, and impact in women’s health. The FAAGL will be seeking donations and new funding sources to fund this initiative. EMIGS research proposals will go through a rigorous review process to identify the most impactful research proposals before being awarded funding.   

FMIGS Grant Funding

The third initiative is the Foundation of the AAGL’s Fund for the Future (FFTF) grant program. This program provides scholarship funding for FMIGS sites to support the training of their MIGS fellows and offset their educational expenses. The application process for FFTF Robotics grant is currently open and the deadline to submit is May 5, 2023!  We just received additional grant funding and are pleased to announce we will be opening another grant application to support all FMIGS programs in the coming weeks. Thanks to the generosity of our industry partners, Intuitive Foundation and Olympus, the 2023 Fund for the Future Program will support multiple programs with grants!

Excellence in MIGS and Scientific Achievement Awards

Our fourth initiative is to continue empowering progress in MIGS through our Excellence in MIGS and Scientific Achievement Awards. Applications are now open for the Foundation’s Noteworthy and Signature Awards!

NOTEWORTHY AWARD APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

• Harrith Hasson Physician from an Emerging Country Scholarship Award
• Barbara Levy AchieveHER Award
• Franklin Loffer Exceptional Resident Award – Opens May 1, 2023
• Javier Magrina Excellence in Robotic Surgery Award
• NCAPS Diversity and Inclusion in MIGS Award
• John Steege Mentorship Award

SIGNATURE AWARD APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

Apply for a Signature Award when you turn in your abstract!

Opportunity Drawing

Our fifth initiative is to increase donations so that we can carry out our strategic plans and mission. One of the ways that we will do this is to hold an opportunity drawing for donors who give to the Foundation of the AAGL. For each $25 donation, the donor will receive one ticket in the opportunity drawing. To qualify for the drawing, donations must be received by June 30, 2023. In early July, two donors will be selected to receive their choice of 2023 AAGL Global Congress registration OR a 2-night hotel stay at one of the 2023 AAGL Congress hotels.

In addition to the five strategic initiatives outlined above, we will also begin to raise funds for medical missions to fulfill the vision of our Global Outreach Pillar. If you are considering giving to the Foundation of the AAGL and have any questions about donating, establishing an endowment, making a bequest, or other planned giving, please contact clovret@aagl.org for more information.

We are excited about our new initiatives and the impact we will make! Together, and with all of you, our donors, and supporters, we will continue to make a difference by empowering progress in MIGS worldwide.

With deepest gratitude,