Patient Stories Drive Effective Grassroots Surgical Advocacy

For surgeons looking to influence health policy, effective advocacy does not begin with mastering the intricacies of Congress or arriving with pages of statistics. It starts with understanding the audience, making a clear request, building lasting relationships, and perhaps most importantly, using patient stories to show why action matters.

In the Panel Session “Getting Your Message Out: Surgical Advocacy at the Grassroots,” speakers offered perspectives from Capitol Hill, surgeon advocacy, communications, and firsthand experience building support for legislation.

Lead with the Patient Story

For surgeon and health policy expert Brian McNeil, MD, MBA, FACS, a urologist at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in New York City, effective advocacy requires understanding both how policymaking works and when advocates can exert the greatest influence.

“The most powerful advocacy often happens before a bill is even introduced,” he said, making early and sustained engagement essential.

But simply gaining access to a congressional office does not necessarily translate into influence. Policymakers and their staff encounter enormous volumes of information and competing requests, making it important for surgeons to translate complex clinical and policy issues into something immediately relevant to constituents.

“Whenever you’re advocating for an issue, don’t lead with numbers, don’t lead with percentages—lead with a constituent story,” Dr. McNeil said.

He framed the advocacy process through the concept of “Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors.” Windows represent opportunities to observe the legislative landscape and understand policymakers’ priorities. Mirrors encourage advocates to examine their own motivations and ensure they are advocating for patients and communities. Sliding glass doors represent moments when an opening emerges to advance an issue, and advocates need to recognize and act on those opportunities.

Advocacy Is More Accessible Than It Seems

Margaret (Megan) C. Tracci, MD, JD, FACS, Medical Director for Surgeon Engagement in the ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, similarly sought to demystify grassroots advocacy for surgeons who may never have contacted a legislator.

“People who have not been deeply engaged in advocacy feel intimidated by the process of reaching out to their legislators. You shouldn’t,” she said.

Surgeons have numerous avenues for participating, from visiting congressional offices and making telephone calls to sending emails and engaging through social media. The ACS also provides resources to help Fellows take those steps, including the Leadership & Advocacy Summit, Advocacy at Home, SurgeonsVoice, state-level advocacy support, and the ACS Grassroots Network.

Whatever the approach, Dr. Tracci emphasized preparation, concise messaging, a specific request, and follow-through. Surgeons should personalize issues by explaining their effects on patients, practices, and communities and view each interaction as part of a longer process.

“Ultimately, you’re developing a relationship that gives you credibility, continuity, and impact over time,” she said. 

Find the Channels That Influence Policymakers

Cori McKeever, ACS Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Communications, focused on another route for grassroots influence: the media.

The increasingly fragmented media environment means advocates need to think beyond major newspapers and television networks. Podcasts, newsletters, social media accounts, and even local online communities may reach audiences—and policymakers—that traditional outlets do not.

“When you’re thinking about media, you need to expand beyond what might be the traditional definition to think about what your policymaker is looking at and being influenced by,” McKeever said.

Regardless of the platform, compelling advocacy still depends on combining evidence with human experience.

“Facts earn attention. Data proves the problem is real and how big it is, but unless you are pairing that with a human story, an emotional story, it’s going to fall flat,” she said.

McKeever illustrated that approach with the ACS surgical workforce mapping tool, introduced at Clinical Congress, which allows advocates to pair national workforce data with county-level information about surgical access. Importantly, the tool can also help surgeons develop stories about what those shortages mean for actual patients.

Build Coalitions and Keep Showing Up

Trauma surgeon David S. Shapiro, MD, MHCM, MEd, FACS, demonstrated how those principles can translate into legislative action through his work advancing Stop the Bleed in Connecticut.

His advocacy grew from a chance conversation with a state legislator into meetings, media appearances, Stop the Bleed training for legislators and staff, community partnerships, and ultimately legislation. The effort brought together surgeons, emergency physicians, EMS professionals, community organizations, ACS resources, patients, and policymakers.

“This is all about the ‘we.’ It’s not about me. It is not about you. It’s about doing things together. The collaboration, the consortium, and the working together makes all the difference,” Dr. Shapiro said.

His experience also reinforced a message repeated throughout the session. Evidence establishes credibility, but people give an issue meaning.

“Our message has to be correct, truthful, evidence-based, but it also needs to be passionate,” he said. “It needs to have the patient’s story behind it to make a difference.”

Clinical Congress registrants can view the session on demand on the Meeting Platform.