American College of Surgeons

Logo of the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a scientific and educational association of surgeons founded in 1913. The ACS is dedicated to improving the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice.

History

The American College of Surgeons was founded in 1913 by a group of surgeons who recognized the need for a professional organization that would promote the highest standards of surgical practice and education. The founding members were committed to ensuring that surgeons were properly trained and that patients received the best possible care.

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the American College of Surgeons is to improve the quality of care for surgical patients by setting high standards for surgical education and practice. The ACS aims to:

• Promote the highest standards of surgical care through education and advocacy.
• Foster the development of surgeons through continuous education and training.
• Advocate for the surgical profession and the patients it serves.

Membership

Membership in the American College of Surgeons is open to surgeons who meet the organization's rigorous standards for education, training, and ethical conduct. Members are designated as "Fellows of the American College of Surgeons" (FACS), a mark of distinction that signifies a surgeon's commitment to the highest standards of surgical practice.

Education and Training

The ACS provides a wide range of educational programs and resources for surgeons at all stages of their careers. These include:

• Continuing medical education (CME) courses and workshops.
• Online learning modules and webinars.
• Annual Clinical Congress, which offers a comprehensive program of lectures, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops.

Advocacy and Public Policy

The American College of Surgeons actively advocates for policies that improve surgical care and patient outcomes. The ACS works with government agencies, healthcare organizations, and other stakeholders to:

• Influence healthcare policy and legislation.
• Promote patient safety and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support research and innovation in surgical care.

Quality Improvement Programs

The ACS is a leader in quality improvement initiatives for surgical care. The organization has developed several programs aimed at improving patient outcomes, including:

• National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)
• Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP)
• Cancer Programs, including the Commission on Cancer (CoC)

Related pages

• Surgery
• Surgeon
• Medical education
• Patient safety