Williams Hogue named Future Trauma Leader for ACS Committee on Trauma

After a highly competitive application process, Ashley Williams Hogue, M.D., a trauma surgeon at USA Health University Hospital, recently was selected as a Future Trauma Leader (FTL) through the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.

As one of the highest honors for a junior trauma surgeon, the recognition was given to only five surgeons nationwide this year.

“To be selected as a Future Trauma Leader is a supreme honor. It gives me an opportunity to work alongside others who are leaders -- trailblazers in the field,” said Williams Hogue, an assistant professor of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “I’m excited for the mentorship, and I’m just ready to learn.”

“The selection process for the Future Trauma Leader program at the American College of Surgeons is remarkably competitive, with fantastic candidates from across the country all vying for one of these positions,” said Michael Chang, M.D., associate vice president for medical affairs at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama and chief medical officer for USA Health. “Dr. Williams’ selection to this exclusive group is a testament to her remarkable capabilities in every aspect of academic trauma surgery, and will serve both our trauma center and the national trauma surgery community well in the future.”

Her area of expertise is injury prevention and community wellness. She seeks to learn various ways to advocate for the underserved and to provide resources that will positively impact the communities in which her patients live and work.

William Richards, M.D., gastrointestinal surgeon at USA Health and professor and chair of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine, said, “We are thankful to have Dr. Williams as a member of our team at USA Health. She has excelled at each task she has been given and has exceeded all expectations.”

Through the FTL program, Williams Hogue will receive an in-depth training and mentoring opportunity from the Committee on Trauma. She will also have the opportunity to participate in a disaster management and emergency preparedness course, trauma system design and implementation training, and a rural trauma team development course.

“Williams has developed a national reputation in the creation of gun violence prevention programs, such as Project INSPIRE,” said Jon Simmons, M.D., trauma medical director and chief of trauma and acute care surgery at USA Health. “The FTL program will facilitate enhanced collaboration with other national experts in gun violence prevention and trauma-related social determinants of health.”

Richards and Simmons agreed that for a USA Health physician to have such an opportunity is a great success not only for our health system but also for the community.