The mission of the society is:

• To provide education and training for gastrointestinal and/or abdominal surgeons and surgeons-in-training. To measure, on an ongoing basis, the quality and effectiveness of our educational programs and to modify them based on these measures.
• To identify and evaluate current and emerging minimal access and non invasive technologies and techniques in gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic surgery.
• To serve as a forum for ideas and the exchange of information in current and emerging minimal access technology and techniques.
• To foster, support, and encourage clinical and basic science research.
• To provide guidelines for training, standards of practice and granting of privileges which promote patient safety and the best clinical outcomes.
• To help assure that patients are able to obtain the most effective diagnosis and treatment from qualified surgeons.
• To develop, maintain and provide leadership to achieve the above goals.
• To maintain an atmosphere which promotes diversity and collegiality among members.
• To define and provide tools and guidelines for measurement in assessing surgical competence.

Definition

For purposes of this document, minimal access/non-invasive technology and techniques is defined as diagnostic or therapeutic flexible endoscopy, laparoscopic surgery, endoscopic image-guided and energy-assisted modalities and thoracoscopy as they relate to gastrointestinal or abdominal disease.