New Academy of Master Surgeon Educators unveiled at Clinical Congress

The new American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators will be formally launched during a Special Session on Monday, 1:15−2:15 pm, San Diego Convention Center, 20BC.

In October 2014, the ACS Board of Regents unanimously approved a proposal presented by Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, Director, ACS Division of Education, to create this Academy. Over the last 18 months, a Steering Committee appointed to develop the model for the Academy has been working diligently to define the mission, goals, categories of membership, and criteria for induction into the Academy.

The mission of the Academy is to continually advance the science and implementation of education across all surgical specialties through innovation and promotion of the highest achievements across the lifetime of surgeons. The goals of the Academy are as follows:

To identify and recognize Master Surgeon Educators who have an established track record as nationally or internationally recognized surgeon educators, or who have served as effective mentors of other leaders in surgery and have been successful in helping these individuals ascend to key leadership positions nationally and locally
To advance the science and implementation of innovative lifelong surgical education and training
To foster the exchange of creative ideas, support faculty and individual development and recognition, underscore the importance of lifelong surgical education and training, and offer mentorship to surgeon educators across their professional careers
To positively impact quality and safety through innovative lifelong surgical education
To disseminate advances in surgical education and training to surgeons

Three categories of membership will be offered—Member, Associate Member, and Affiliate Member—and specific criteria must be met for induction into the Academy in each of these categories.

“This new Academy is one of the  most important endeavors the American College of Surgeons has undertaken and will result in a lasting impact on the surgical profession for many generations to come,” said L. D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, FCCM, RCSEng(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCS(SA)(Hon), FRCSGlasg(Hon), Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the Academy and Past-President of the ACS.

“This unique Academy of Master Surgeon Educators will help to take surgical education and training to newer heights, afford recognition for the highest accomplishments in surgical education and training, and engage Academy Members in the pursuit of lofty educational goals. The impact of this Academy will extend beyond the academies established at medical schools and academic health centers, and beyond the recognition offered by other national societies and professional organizations,” said Dr. Sachdeva, Co-Chair of the Steering Committee.

In addition to the Co-Chairs, Drs. Britt and Sachdeva, members of the Steering Committee for the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators are: Sir Murray F. Brennan, MD, FACS, ACS Distinguished Service Award Recipient; Haile T. Debas, MD, FACS, Founding Executive Director, Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco; ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS; ACS Regent L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS; ACS Board of Regents Vice-Chair Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS; and ACS Past-President Carlos A. Pellegrini, MD, FACS, FRCSI(Hon), FRCS(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon).

The Special Session at the Clinical Congress will include brief presentations from the Steering Committee Members to disseminate information regarding the Academy and will highlight the programs and activities of the Academy. All Clinical Congress attendees are invited to attend this Special Session. Drs. Britt and Sachdeva will co-moderate.