NJ Doc Named President-elect of American Association for the Surgery of Trauma

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s Dr. David Livingston, a pioneer in trauma surgery & critical care, accepts national leadership role. 

NEWARK – Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) today formally announced that Dr. David Livingston, professor and chief of the division of trauma and surgical critical care in the department of surgery at NJMS, has been named president-elect of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST.)

The AAST is the premier scholarly organization dedicated to the science and practice of the field of trauma and critical care nationwide.

“Dr. Livingston has led efforts to transform the Eric Munoz Trauma Center at University Hospital into a nationally-ranked center known for innovative trauma care programs,” said Dr. Anne C. Mosenthal, professor and chair of the department of surgery at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “As an internationally-known leader in academic trauma surgery, he has advanced innovations in research, and care of the injured for 25 years. It is so wonderful to see him recognized by AAST for his leadership and accomplishments.”

Livingston, who also serves as an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, has garnered recognition as an internationally-renowned scientist and a NIH-funded investigator, for his work studying the hematologic response to injury.

During his tenure in medicine, Livingston has also built major clinical research programs to study trauma outcomes and survivorship. He has also been recognized for his recent contributions to research on gun violence.

“It is an incredible honor to be selected as the next president of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma,” said Dr. Livingston. “The AAST is looked upon nationally and worldwide as the leader in advancing the science of trauma, surgical critical care and emergency general surgery. As injury is now the leading cause of death in people under 45 years of age worldwide, the public health issues we tackle are truly global in scope. I look forward to leading an amazing organization with such talented individuals, to further the AAST’s scientific and educational achievements across the country and around the world.”

Dr. Livingston will serve as president-elect through Sept. 11, 2020. He will then serve as president of the AAST from Sept. 11, 2020 through October 1, 2021. He was elected by the AAST Nominating Committee at the organization’s annual business meeting on Friday, September 21, 2019 in Dallas, Texas.

Previously, Dr. Livingston served on the AAST Board of Managers in 2018, and as a member-at-large from 2015-2018.

As President, Dr. Livingston will chair the AAST’s Membership Committee, Board of Managers, and the Scholarship, Awards and Development Committee. He will also serve as a member of the Executive, Program, and Nominating Committees.

As part of ongoing efforts to expand the organization’s global impact, Dr. Livingston will also represent the AAST at a number of international meetings, including the European Society for Emergency Surgery’s (ESTES)  21st European Congress of Trauma & Emergency Surgery, which will be held from April 26 – 28, 2020 in Oslo, Norway; and  the 5th World Trauma Congress, which will be held from October 26-30, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia.

To learn more about Dr. Livingston, click here. For information on the AAST, click here.

Founded in 1954, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is the oldest school of medicine in the state. Today it is part of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and graduates approximately 170 physicians a year. In addition to providing the MD degree, the school offers MD/PhD, MD/MPH and MD/MBA degrees through collaborations with other institutions of higher education. Dedicated to excellence in education, research, clinical care and community outreach, the medical school comprises 20 academic departments and works with several healthcare partners, including its principal teaching hospital, The University Hospital. Its faculty consists of numerous world-renowned scientists and many of the region’s “top doctors.” Home to the nation’s oldest student-run clinic, New Jersey Medical School hosts more than 50 centers and institutes, including the Public Health Research Institute Center, the Global Tuberculosis Institute and the Neurological Institute of New Jersey. For more information please visit: njms.rutgers.edu, or find us on social media. #NJMSProud