Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract

What Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract does

The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional medical society incorporated in Delaware in 1960 and headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, with a near-70-year history of advancing gastrointestinal surgery. It is positioned as the only North American organization focused exclusively on surgical problems of the alimentary tract. SSAT serves a member base that spans board-certified GI surgeons (Active Members at $155/yr), residents and fellows (Candidate Members at $20/yr), Advanced Practice Providers (APPs at $155/yr), medical students ($20 one-time initiation), and international surgeons across 15 International Chapters.

The society's core offerings form an integrated member ecosystem. Publication assets include the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery (JOGS, launched 1995) and JOGS Open as official peer-reviewed journals. Educational products comprise the SSAT Annual Meeting held within Digestive Disease Week (DDW) alongside AGA, AASLD, and ASGE, a year-round webinar series, the Soundbites podcast (Libsyn), the "How I Do It" surgical video series, and the SSAT Connect – AI in Surgery community. The society runs the Complex GI Surgery Fellowship Certificate Program and co-sponsors the Foregut Fellowship Certification Program with AFS, ASMBS, and SAGES. A grants and awards program distributes over $1.2M annually across Career Development Awards, Traveling Fellowships, international chapter research grants, disparities research awards, and developing-leaders scholarships, with the Career Development Award ($75,000/yr for two years) having fostered more than 27 surgeon-scientists since 1987.

Revenue is generated primarily through annual membership dues, DDW registration fees, journal subscriptions (included with membership for JOGS; non-member subscriptions and JOGS Open submission fees), and SSAT Foundation donations including the Jeffrey and Joan Matthews Diversity Fund. Distribution is digital-first (ssat.com, join.ssat.com, awards.ssat.com, YouTube, social channels on LinkedIn/X/Facebook/Instagram) augmented by the annual DDW meeting and international chapter activities in markets including India, Argentina, Peru, Germany, and Central/South America.

Name

Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract

Legal name

Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Inc.

Website

https://ssat.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SSAT is a 70-year-old nonprofit professional medical society advancing gastrointestinal surgery through membership, the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, an annual meeting at Digestive Disease Week, fellowships, grants, and education, serving GI surgeons, residents, fellows, APPs, and students across 15 international chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Beverly

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: SSAT generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues paid by Active Members ($155/year), Candidate Members ($20/year), and a one-time initiation fee for Medical Students ($20). These dues fund the society's operations, grants, awards, publications, and annual meetings.
2. Digestive Disease Week (DDW) Registration Revenue: As a partner society of DDW, SSAT benefits from discounted registration rates for members and collects fees for its annual meeting held within DDW. Members receive deeply discounted DDW registration rates.
3. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery (JOGS) Subscriptions: JOGS is the official journal of the SSAT. Electronic subscriptions are included with membership. Non-member subscription fees contribute to journal revenue.
4. SSAT Foundation Donations: The SSAT Foundation accepts donations, including to the Jeffrey and Joan Matthews Diversity Fund, supporting scholarships, grants, and the society's educational mission.
5. DDW Registration Fees: Revenue from Digestive Disease Week conference registration, where SSAT members receive discounted rates compared to non-members. Candidate and Medical Student members can register complimentary if completed before the Early Bird deadline.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) is a nonprofit professional medical society that delivers value to GI surgeons through tiered individual memberships, peer-reviewed journals (JOGS and JOGS Open), fellowship certificate programs, an annual meeting co-hosted within Digestive Disease Week, and a grants and awards portfolio exceeding $1.2M annually. It also produces year-round educational content including webinars, the Soundbites podcast, the "How I Do It" video series, and an online mentorship program serving surgeons across all career stages.

Product overview

The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) is a professional medical society, not a technology product company. The SSAT offers a membership-based ecosystem of products and services centered on advancing gastrointestinal surgery. Core offerings include: the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery (JOGS) and JOGS OPEN as official peer-reviewed and open-access publications; the SSAT Complex Gastrointestinal Surgery Fellowship Certificate Program for post-residency training verification; the SSAT Grants and Awards Program providing funding from $1,000 to $75,000/year for research and career development; the SSAT Annual Meeting held at Digestive Disease Week (DDW); educational content through webinars, the Soundbites Podcast, and "How I Do It" Video Series; and member services including a searchable directory, job board, and mentorship program. The SSAT also facilitates international connectivity through 15 International Chapters and various traveling fellowships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery (JOGS): Official peer-reviewed journal publishing original articles on surgery of the digestive tract, gastrointestinal images, reviews, and SSAT proceedings
• Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery OPEN

Products and services

• Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery (JOGS) The official peer-reviewed journal of the SSAT, publishing original articles on surgery of the digestive tract, gastrointestinal images, "How I Do It" articles, subject reviews, book reports, editorial columns, the SSAT Presidential Address, and conference proceedings. Included with SSAT membership.
• Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery OPEN (JOGS Open) An official open-access publication of the SSAT that complements JOGS, publishing multidisciplinary research with global representation and worldwide education focus. Submission fees are waived for SSAT members.
• SSAT Complex Gastrointestinal Surgery Fellowship Certificate Program A certification program for fellows completing Fellowship Council-sponsored Complex GI Surgery Fellowships, including scholarly activity, society meeting attendance, and Grand Rounds participation for credentialing support.
• SSAT Membership Tiered membership offered as Active Member ($155/year, board-certified GI surgeons and APPs), Candidate Member ($20/year, residents and fellows), and Medical Student Member ($20 one-time initiation fee). Includes JOGS subscription, DDW discounts, webinar access, committee participation, mentorship program, and grant opportunities.
• SSAT Annual Meeting at DDW The SSAT annual meeting held during DDW, the premier conference for GI professionals. Features abstract presentations, awards, networking, and the SSAT Residents and Fellows Research Conference. Members receive discounted or complimentary registration.
• SSAT Grants and Awards Program A comprehensive grant and awards program supporting GI surgery research and career development, including Career Development Awards ($75,000/year for 2 years), Traveling Fellowships ($5,000-$10,000), Health Care Disparities Research Awards ($20,000/year for 2 years), and Residents and Fellows Research Awards ($25,000).
• SSAT Webinars Year-round educational webinar series covering ABSITE preparation, board exam prep, AI in surgery, research burnout, financial strategies, professional development, and clinical topics. Free registration for members; recordings posted for all to view.
• SSAT Soundbites Podcast An audio podcast featuring discussions on GI surgery topics, member spotlights, and the latest developments in the field. Available on Libsyn.
• "How I Do It" Video Series A video series created by the SSAT International Relations Committee comparing different surgical techniques across countries, providing visual surgical education for GI surgeons.
• SSAT Mentorship Program Structured mentorship matching between experienced GI surgeons and trainees and mid-career members. Includes a Mentor of the Month video series. Supports retention and community building among members.
• SSAT Job Board An online job board connecting GI surgery professionals with career opportunities in the field. Accessible to members.
• SSAT Connect – AI in Surgery A community initiative connecting members interested in artificial intelligence applications in GI surgery, facilitating discussion and knowledge sharing on AI topics.

Quantifiable outcome

• SSAT Career Development Award recipients hold university appointments and many have ongoing NIH funding
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Digestive Disease Week (DDW) CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSAT is one of four founding partner societies of Digestive Disease Week (DDW), alongside the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). SSAT's annual meeting is held during DDW, the premier conference bringing together all medical professionals in the GI field. DDW Council includes representatives from all four societies who collectively govern the conference.
• Fellowship CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fellowship Council organizes MIS and Surgical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy fellowship programs and provides a forum for disseminating fellowship program information, establishing criteria for fellowship programs, and standardizing the fellowship application and selection process. All fellowship trainees completing Fellowship Council-sponsored Complex GI Surgery Fellowships are eligible for SSAT's CGS Fellowship Certificate Program.
• American Foregut Society (AFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint sponsor of the Foregut Fellowship Certification Program, providing verification from the sponsoring societies that the fellow has completed all case requirements during their fellowship and has been active in the larger surgical field.
• American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint sponsor of the Foregut Fellowship Certification Program alongside AFS, SAGES, and SSAT.
• Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint sponsor of the Foregut Fellowship Certification Program alongside AFS, ASMBS, and SSAT.
• Academy for Surgical Coaching (A4SC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSAT/A4SC Scholarship provides mid-career SSAT members access to surgical coaching through the Academy for Surgical Coaching as part of the SSAT mid-career membership benefits.
• American College of Surgeons (ACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACS and SSAT co-offer the Health Policy and Management Scholarship ($8,000) to subsidize attendance in the Executive Leadership Program in Health Policy and Management at Brandeis University. A joint committee selects the award recipient.
• Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) - DDW PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSAT, SAGES, and other DDW societies collectively contribute to combined clinical symposiums, organize yearly consensus conferences, and integrate oral and poster presentations into AGA focused research sections.
• American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSAT's annual meeting has been held in conjunction with DDW since 1973, co-organized with AGA. AGA has been instrumental in the formation and governance of DDW Council alongside SSAT, AASLD, and ASGE.
• American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSAT co-organizes DDW alongside AASLD, AGA, and ASGE. All four societies participate in combined clinical symposiums, yearly consensus conferences, and integrated research presentations.
• Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) - Combined EventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSAT, ASGE, and other DDW societies organize integrated oral and poster presentations, consensus conferences, and combined clinical symposiums, increasing educational diversity for all members.
• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASGE is one of the four founding DDW societies alongside SSAT, AGA, and AASLD. SSAT and ASGE co-organize DDW and participate in integrated research presentations and combined educational programs.
• SSAT/SUS Leadership Agility Program ScholarshipsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSAT partners with the Society of University Surgeons (SUS) to offer Leadership Agility Program Scholarships for SSAT members as part of mid-career development opportunities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO): SSO is a peer surgical subspecialty society with a comparable nonprofit membership model, owned journal (Annals of Surgical Oncology), fellowship programs, and annual meeting. SSO competes for academic surgical oncologists and trainees whose work overlaps with GI surgical oncology.
• Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES): SAGES is the most directly comparable peer to SSAT — a North American surgical society focused on minimally invasive GI and endoscopic surgery, with overlapping member base, DDW co-presence, fellowship certification programs, and grants. SAGES competes for the same GI surgeon membership dollars and abstract submissions.
• American Gastroenterological Association (AGA): AGA is one of the four founding DDW societies alongside SSAT and operates a comparable professional society model — membership dues, journal ownership (Gastroenterology, CGH), grants, and an annual meeting held during DDW. AGA serves a closely adjacent specialty (medical GI vs. surgical GI), making it the most natural peer comparison.
• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE): ASGE is the third founding DDW society, focused on GI endoscopy with its own journal (GIE), annual meeting within DDW, and grants. ASGE competes with SSAT for members who perform endoscopic procedures and shares the same conference footprint, making it a highly relevant peer.
• American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD): AASLD is the fourth founding DDW society and a peer in the broader GI medical society ecosystem. While focused on hepatology rather than alimentary surgery, it operates the same member-driven nonprofit model with its own journal (Hepatology), DDW presence, and substantial grants program.
• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS): ASCRS is a closely comparable surgical subspecialty society focused on colorectal surgery, with its own journal (Diseases of the Colon & Rectum), annual meeting, and fellowship programs. ASCRS competes with SSAT for colon and rectal surgeons and overlapping academic institutional partnerships.
• American College of Gastroenterology (ACG): ACG is a peer professional society for GI physicians (gastroenterologists) with its own journal (AJG), annual meeting, and grants program. While ACG focuses on medical GI rather than surgical, it competes for the same institution-level engagement and overlapping clinician audience.

Broad incumbents

• American College of Surgeons (ACS): ACS is a much larger, broadly-focused incumbent surgical society that overlaps with SSAT's membership universe but covers all surgical specialties. ACS co-administers the Health Policy and Management Scholarship with SSAT, indicating a partner relationship rather than pure competition.

Regional players

• Royal College of Surgeons of England: Royal College of Surgeons of England is a regional peer operating a comparable professional society and credentialing model in the UK. While geographically separate from SSAT, RCS functions similarly in delivering fellowships, examinations, and continuing education to GI and general surgeons in its jurisdiction.

Emerging players

• Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA): AHPBA is a smaller, more specialized surgical society focused on HPB surgery — a subset of alimentary tract surgery that overlaps materially with SSAT's scope. AHPBA represents an emerging or niche player competing for the same HPB surgeon members and academic engagement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ssatnews
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SSATVideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/156183197743703
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-society-for-surgery-of-the-alimentary-tract
• Instagraminstagram.com/ssatnews

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract