Throckmorton Surgical Society
The Throckmorton Surgical Society is a nonprofit society set up to engage in and carry on the support of educational activities for postgraduate physicians specializing in the field of general surgery.
Each spring the Throckmorton Surgical Society, which is the Iowa Methodist Surgical Residency Alumni and Associate members, presents a full day post-graduate course featuring nationally known speakers.
The program each year is focused on a current critical topic in general surgery. Surgeons throughout Iowa and the Midwest attend these meetings, with its educational programs directed toward the continuing educational advancement of its surgery residents, alumni and staff.
Symposium
Each spring the Society holds a symposium designed to present a comprehensive review of various topics with in depth information on diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical techniques for practicing general surgeons and other physicians who might be interested.
Some topics in the past have included breast, pancreas, hernias, colorectal, hepatobiliary, trauma, upper GI, laparoscopy, critical care and oncologic surgery as well as complications in surgery, controversies in surgery and emerging technologies.
While the conference is set up by the membership, other surgeons and physicians are welcome to attend the symposium. The next Throckmorton event will be May 2, 2025. The topic is "Trauma".
History
When the Iowa Methodist Medical Center surgery training program was started in 1946, the impetus came primarily from two surgeons, Dr. Joseph B. Priestley and Dr. Tom D. Throckmorton. These two men provided a great deal of the leadership in the operation of the surgery educational program from its start with Dr. Priestley as director and Dr. Throckmorton as preceptor until Dr. Priestley's retirement in 1966.
Dr. Throckmorton then continued leadership of the program in 1966 with Dr. David Watkins becoming the first full-time director in 1976 serving until the residency received full approval of a 5-year residency in 1981 with Dr. Throckmorton as functional director. Dr. Throckmorton continued as full-time director until his retirement in 1986.
The Throckmorton Surgical Society was set up in Dr. Tom Throckmorton's name in honor of his dedication and continued efforts in carrying on postgraduate medical education in surgery and is now continued in his memory.
Lectureships have been set up in memory of Dr. Joseph B. Priestley for his leadership role in the residency and in honor of Dr. Louis D. Rodgers in recognition of his many years on faculty and in organization of the Society.
While the first surgical residency alumni conference was held in April 1981, the organizational meeting and First Annual Meeting of the Throckmorton Surgical Society were held April 30, 1982. The membership is comprised of alumni members of the Iowa Methodist Medical Center Surgery Residency, surgery resident members and surgery faculty members as associate members. Several noted speakers are included as honorary members.
While the conference is set up by the membership, other surgeons and physicians are welcome to attend the symposium. A conference banquet is held each year where new graduates of the Iowa Methodist Medical Center Surgery Residency are recognized as new alumni members and where alumni, residents, faculty and attendees greet colleagues and renew old friendships.
Contact us
General Surgery Residency Program1415 Woodland Ave, Suite 140
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: 515-241-4078
Christa Richards, Surgery Resident Coordinator
christa.richards@unitypoint.org