SAAS Legacy Letters
The SAAS “Legacy Letters Project” is a reflective writing initiative designed to capture the collective wisdom and lived experiences of senior Asian academic surgeon leaders. Through short, heartfelt letters written to their younger selves, mentees, or future selves, participants share lessons learned, defining moments, and evolving perspectives on purpose, leadership, and identity in academic surgery.
This project highlights a pivotal yet often overlooked stage in the academic journey, when surgeons transition from building their careers to shaping others’. The letters will be compiled into an annual digital collection, “The SAAS Legacy Letters,” which will grow year after year into a living archive of mentorship, resilience, and vision within the Asian academic surgical community.
The initiative is designed to be sustainable, meaningful resource. Each year’s collection will focus on a distinct theme, such as mentorship, leadership, or overcoming challenges, allowing future SAAS presidents to continue expanding the archive. Over time, the “Legacy Letters” will form a powerful narrative tapestry reflecting the values, challenges, and aspirations of Asian academic surgeons across generations.
We’d like to thank the following leaders in Academic Surgery for their support and participation:
Jennifer Tseng, MD MPH
Paul Kuo, MD, MS, MBA
Dev Desai, MD, PhD