The American Society of General Surgeons (ASGS) has joined with the United States Laparoscopic Founders Society (USLFS) to provide certification to General Surgeon Specialists upon assessment of laparoscopic skills and proficiency. The Proficiency Assessment of Laparoscopic Surgical Skills (PALSS) will offer General Surgeon applicants a choice among three distinct levels of laparoscopic surgery: • Level III - Basic Laparoscopist • Level II - Laparoscopic Surgeon • Level I - Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon Qualified General Surgeon Specialists must provide original and unedited videotapes of their laparoscopic surgical procedure(s) within the scope of General Surgery recognized by ASGS. The USLFS panel of experts will anonymously assess and evaluate the videotapes provided by applicants and will submit a recommendation for approval or non-approval to the ASGS. The ASGS Board of Trustees will make the final certification decision. To ensure complete confidentiality and fairness, a rigid process is an essential component of the PALSS program. A modified PALSS application fee is available to members of the American Society of General Surgeons. Dr. Carlos Silva, a former ASGS president, pointed to the PALSS program as "an example of the leadership role that practicing General Surgeon Specialists expect of their Society." He noted that this is the first program ever conceived to certify the skills and ability of a General Surgeon Specialist in laparoscopy. He noted "the PALSS program is an essential part of the overall performance measurement of surgical care that patients demand in today's health care setting". Click here for more information on the PALSS Program. Click here for a list of General Surgeons currently certified as Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons.