About the ACS Office of Inclusive Excellence

Surgical excellence remains the highest priority for the ACS. In alignment with this organizational priority, inclusive excellence has served as the framework for the work of the Office since its inception in August 2021.

In the past 3 years, the Office has led the College’s longstanding commitment to taking strategic actions that foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture that enhances excellence, does not cause harm, and yields better outcomes for all staff, surgeons, and the patients they serve. The ACS Board of Regents reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to this work in February 2024; and in August 2024, the Board approved using the term “Inclusive Excellence” instead of DEI to reflect the evolution and expansion of the work. Inclusive Excellence also is the ACS President’s theme for 2023–2024, making the name change even more relevant.