American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association: who are we and where are we going?

The American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA) was initiated in 1994 following the first World Congress of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA), which was held in Boston. Presently, the AHPBA has more than 500 dues-paying members whose median age is in the mid-40s. More than 90% of members reside in North America. Approximately 80% of members have completed a fellowship in transplantation, hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery and/or research, surgical oncology, gastroenterology, or laparoscopy. Approximately 90% have a faculty appointment with 80% of these being full-time faculty. More than half of the average AHPBA member's time is spent in patient care, but approximately 45% of time is divided equally among research, teaching, and administration. Approximately 85% of members perform biliary, 75% hepatic, and 45% pancreatic surgery, whereas 25% perform liver and pancreatic transplantation. Nearly 90% are members of the American College of Surgeons, two thirds The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, 60% the Association for Academic Surgery, and 40% the IHPBA. The AHPBA's vision is to be the leading American association devoted to hepato-pancreato-biliary education, research, surgical training, and patient care and to serve as the American chapter of the IHPBA. The AHPBA mission is as follows: (1) to disseminate knowledge of hepato-pancreato-biliary disease, techniques, and research; ( 2) to facilitate clinical trials in hepato-pancreato-biliary disease; (3) to coordinate advanced training in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery; and (4) to foster excellence in the care of patients with hepato-pancreato-biliary disease. The AHPBA has strategic initiatives to increase membership, bring value to a journal affiliation, and enhance its education, research, and training missions through multiple collaborations and better communication.