American College of Surgeons (ACS)

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a professional association of surgeons in the United States.

History

It was founded in 1913 to improve the quality of surgical care and to promote the ethical and professional standards of the surgical profession. The organization is dedicated to the improvement of the care of the surgical patient and to safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment.

Members

The ACS is composed of more than 80,000 members, including general surgeons, surgical sub-specialists, and surgical residents and medical students. Members of the College are known as Fellows and have met the qualifications for membership in the organization.

Programs

The College offers a wide range of educational programs and resources for surgeons at all stages of their careers, including the Resident Members Program for surgical residents and the Medical Student Members Program for medical students. The ACS also publishes multiple peer-reviewed journals and sponsors several surgical research conferences throughout the year.

Educational opportunities

The College also encourages and help surgeons to stay current in their medical knowledge and practice through its Continuing Medical Education (CME) program. Additionally, ACS maintains a verification process for surgical residency programs, surgical trauma centers, cancer programs, and bariatric surgery centers, as well as accreditation process for continuing education.

Advocacy

The ACS is a strong advocate for its members, the surgical patient, and the entire surgical community, working to shape healthcare policy and legislation at the local, state, and national level.

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