American College of Surgeons Launches Initiative to Attract the Next Generation of Surgeons and Continue Its Legacy of Excellence

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Jan 07, 2015, 12:20 ET

CHICAGO, Jan. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the American College of Surgeons (ACS) announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at stimulating more young surgeons (defined as under the age of 45) to become involved in the organization and increase membership. The campaign, called "Realize the Potential of Your Profession," will communicate how ACS supports surgeons from residency to retirement and aims to appeal to the next generation in new and engaging ways.

"As the largest and most robust surgical organization in the world, we have so much to offer surgeons of all specialties, at any point in their careers, said Patricia L. Turner, MD, FACS, Director, ACS Division of Member Services. "From transition to practice support for those just starting out, to ongoing training and education, to advocacy and leadership, we help surgeons advance their careers and elevate the profession in a way that no other organization can."

Starting this month, ACS will reach out to a larger network of young surgeons through peer-to-peer connections and social sharing. As part of this endeavor, ACS today released a video highlighting "100 reasons" why surgeons should be involved in ACS, as a clear tie to the organization's recent 100-year anniversary. Visit: http://bit.ly/a1chb45. In addition, ACS is distributing snapshot videos profiling why some of the best and brightest young surgeons seek Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Visit: http://bit.ly/14iXBGW.

Other activities planned this year include networking events in various cities around the country, giving young surgeons unique opportunities to engage with their peers and other more senior leaders in the field and from the organization. The success of these activities will rely heavily on current member involvement and willingness to communicate the value of ACS membership to colleagues and peers in a way that resonates more with the younger generation – smaller, shareable bites of information and peer-to-peer influence.

"Just as the ACS Inspiring Quality initiative became a cornerstone of our organization to advance surgical quality around the country, we can build on those efforts by helping young surgeons realize the potential of their profession through ACS," said David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, ACS Executive Director. "We have a legacy of excellence, and adding more young surgeons to our ranks and giving them access to a network of leaders and the array of resources we have will foster a future of excellence in surgical care."

About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 80,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. For more information, visit http://www.facs.org.

SOURCE American College of Surgeons