I am honored to step into the role of President of the Foundation of the AAGL for 2022. As we move into the new year, I want to give a sincere thanks to the tireless efforts of our board members during this challenging COVID era. I have been impressed by the varied professional and personal backgrounds of our board members while all sharing the common unity and goal of striving to make the Foundation the best it can be. Their perseverance, leadership, engagement, and dedication are unparalleled.
The Foundation exists to provide resources that support the AAGL by funding scholarships, teaching opportunities, academic research, global outreach, and mentorship―with the ultimate goal of elevating minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and improving women’s health. This is an exciting time to support and be involved with the Foundation. In the upcoming year, we will continue to team up with industry, academia, individual donors, and various business partners from around the world to continue our upward trajectory toward the betterment of this great organization. The Foundation Board will be meeting soon to finalize our strategic plan, thereby solidifying our culture of philanthropy, while maximizing the full talent and diversity of the organization to further the mission of the FAAGL. I am optimistic about the future and truly believe that the Foundation will continue forward with strong purpose and commitment.
None of these endeavors are possible, however, without the tremendous generosity of our AAGL members and donors. Through your donations, more scholarships and training opportunities are awarded to OB-GYN residents, AAGL Fellows, Young Alumni, and AAGL members every year. In 2021, the Foundation provided approximately $25,000 in awards to residents, fellows and practicing physicians from around the world and over $300,000 in FMIGS fellowship grants. Your contribution fosters outreach, education, and training opportunities, and provides community benefits for local and global underserved populations. In the years to come, we hope to expand our resources and thereby expand the frontier of MIGS by providing resources to support innovative research in the complex field of women’s health. Put simply, through your generous contributions, you are creating opportunities, and you are improving lives.
This is your AAGL, your Foundation, and your Future.
You Make the Difference.
John A. Sunyecz, MD, FACOG, CCD
President, The Foundation of the AAGL