Frequently Asked Questions

In October 2014, the ACS Division of Education presented to the Board of Regents a proposal to establish an ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. The Regents approved the proposal unanimously. The aim of the new ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is to recognize and assemble a cadre of Master Surgeon Educators of national and international renown who will work closely with the ACS Division of Education to advance the science and practice of avant-garde surgical education and training.

The goals of the Academy include defining megatrends in surgical education and training; steering advances in the field; fostering innovation and collaboration; supporting faculty development and recognition; and underscoring the critical importance of surgical education and training in the changing milieu of health care. Academy members are selected through a rigorous peer-review process and induction into the Academy is a very high honor. Members of the Academy are expected to engage actively in activities to address the aforementioned goals. Academy membership is open to Master Surgeon Educators from across the surgical specialties.

Prior to the Academy's founding, there was no national educational academy that reaches across the House of Surgery. The ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators fills a much-needed gap in innovative surgical education, and plays a pivotal role in providing recognition to master surgeon educators and advancing the science and implementation of surgical education. The Academy is a unique program of the ACS and induction into the Academy demonstrates the highest achievements in the domain of surgical education, evaluated by stringent peer review. In addition, the work of the Academy advances surgical education through innovation, mentorship, scholarship, and educational programs.

Visit About the Academy to view the Steering Committee and a listing of members.

Review the complete list of Academy Members, Associate Members, and Affiliate Members.

Specific activities include:

• Serving as an action group to define future trends in surgical education
• Designing innovative educational programs
• Implementing a national mentorship program
• Contributing to a new publication, Proceedings of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators
• Collaborating with other thought leaders to advance surgical education
• Promoting surgical education as a prestigious career path
• Defining and disseminating surgical educational standards and best practices

There are three categories of membership. For details related to criteria, follow the links below:

• Member
• Associate Member
• Affiliate Member

Read about the Application Cycle and Deadlines for detailed information.

Visit the Application Instructions for for detailed information.

Selected Members, Associate Members, and Affiliate Members must be present at the Induction Ceremony—held annually in Chicago—in order to be in the Academy. If there is a scheduling conflict, induction would be delayed until the following year. Selected Members, Associate Members, and Affiliate Members must be inducted within three years of their selection date or they will need to re-apply to the Academy during the annual application cycle.

You will be asked to do the following:

• Complete the nomination form providing information on the nominee and your own information.
• Special note for ACS nonmembers: If you are nominating an individual and you are not a member of the College, you will need to create an account. Creating an ACS account only take a few minutes.

If you are nominated, you will receive an e-mail that you have been nominated for membership in the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. The nominator’s name will be provided. You will be invited to complete the application for membership and will be provided with a link to the application and information about the Academy.

View our Dues and Fees for detailed information.

Membership dues support programs and activities of the Academy, including an annual symposium, innovative programs and projects, a peer-reviewed publication, and other communications.

To see a copy of the application, you may download the Member, Associate Member, and Affiliate Member applications. These are .pdf versions of the application. Please note that you must apply to the Academy via the online application process.

All Steering Committee members are available for more detailed discussions on topics related to the Academy. Contacts at the ACS include:

• Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, MAMSE, asachdeva@facs.org
• Kate Kmiec, Manager, Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, kkmiec@facs.org or 312-202-5771
• Caroline Forker, Administrator, Academy, croth@facs.org or 312-202-5435