Senior and Mid-Career Surgeons: Apply for the ACS Aspiring Leaders Program by August 9

The ACS has announced the continuation of the ACS Aspiring Leaders Program, which is designed to match senior ACS Fellows with mid-career Fellows and to accelerate the professional development and maximize leadership potential of the younger cohort. Applications are due August 9, and the group will start in October.

Based on career goals and aspirations, a mid-career surgeon will be paired with a senior surgeon who will collaborate to develop growth strategies and serve as a sounding board.

The mid-career and senior surgeon pairs will engage in virtual and in-person meetings throughout the year-long program developed by the ACS Committee on Professional Opportunities for Senior Surgeons. This collaborative approach will help identify and clarify professional development goals, complete tailored educational and experiential activities, and establish meaningful measures of success. Activities will include educational sessions, professional assessment exercises, and opportunities to meet other program participants, fostering a sense of community and shared growth.

Individuals selected for participation will invest their time in initiating change and accelerating their professional development as surgeon leaders. The selection process, carefully designed to ensure pair compatibility and inclusivity of gender, ethnicity, practice, and specialty, will be thorough and fair, giving all qualified applicants an equal opportunity to participate in this transformative program.

Senior surgeons can apply to be a Coach/Mentor.

Mid-career surgeons can apply to be a Mentee.

For additional details, contact Jennifer Rosen, MD, FACS, at jennifer.e.rosen@medstar.net. For programmatic questions, contact Anita Johnson at anita.johnson@facs.org.