Elevating Surgical Standards
American College of Surgeons President Beth H. Sutton Inspires Foster School of Medicine with Vision of Collaborative Surgical Excellence
American College of Surgeons President Beth H. Sutton, M.D., FACS, paid a visit to Texas Tech Health El Paso on Thursday, May 15. The Foster School of Medicine welcomed her during Trauma Grand Rounds hosted by the Department of Surgery.
A national leader in surgical practice and policy, Dr. Sutton delivered an inspiring talk to surgery residents titled “Excelling Together.” Her talk advocated for cross-specialty collaboration, professional well-being and a renewed focus on patient-centered care.
As a leading academic health sciences center dedicated to training the next generation of health care leaders, the university found alignment with Dr. Sutton’s call to improve an increasingly complex health care landscape.
“Dr. Sutton’s visit was more than a keynote — it was a reaffirmation of the ideals we strive to instill in our learners every day,” said Alan H. Tyroch, M.D., FACS, FCCM, professor and chair of surgery with the medical school. “Her message mirrors our mission to serve our Borderplex region with integrity, innovation and compassion.”
In her presentation, Dr. Sutton highlighted the opportunities for surgeons to thrive amidst challenges such as staffing shortages. She encouraged the surgical community to unite and take proactive steps to overcome these obstacles together, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a patient-surgeon relationship and cultivating professional environments that promote wellness and purpose.
“I’ve found this to be true throughout my career,” said Dr. Sutton. “If you treat people as nicely as possible, they will listen.”
After her talk, Dr. Sutton held a mentoring session with surgical residents, sharing insights from her decades-long career. Her reflections on balancing technical excellence with ethical responsibility deeply resonated with the audience, especially those preparing to serve in underserved and high-need communities.
The event also marked a personal reunion with Leo C. Mercer, M.D., FACS, associate professor of trauma and acute care surgery at Texas Tech Health El Paso. Prior to Dr. Mercer's joining the university and University Medical Center of El Paso, Dr. Mercer and Dr. Sutton previously worked together as surgical partners in Wichita Falls, Texas.
“Dr. Sutton exemplifies the kind of leadership we hope to cultivate in our surgical residents — thoughtful, resilient and grounded in service,” said Dr. Mercer. “It was an honor to reconnect with her and to see the impact of her message on them.”
A lifelong advocate for the surgical profession, Dr. Sutton has held numerous leadership roles within the American College of Surgeons, including chair of the board of regents and governor at large representing North Texas. She is only the fourth female surgeon in the 112-year history of the College, and she was the first female president of the Texas Surgical Society.
Her accolades include the Distinguished Alumna in General Surgery Award from Scott and White Memorial Hospital, and the Nina Starr Braunwald Award from the Association of Women Surgeons Foundation.
“Dr. Sutton’s message of ‘Excelling Together’ beautifully complements our institutional commitment to teamwork, excellence and advancing health care for all,” Dr. Tyroch added. “We’re proud to have hosted a leader whose vision so closely reflects the heart of our mission at Texas Tech Health El Paso.”
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 rural counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
With a focus on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 professionals over the past decade, and will include dental graduates beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.