Report on ACSPA/ACS Activities, February 2025

The Board of Directors of the American College of Surgeons Professional Association (ACSPA) and the ACS Board of Regents (BoR) met February 6–8 at ACS Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

Key presentations centered on the College’s strategic plan, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and data strategy.

The following is a summary of key activities discussed and was current as of the date of the meeting.

ACSPA

The ACSPA, a 501(c)(6), allows for a broader range of activities and services that benefits surgeons and patients, including expanded legislative advocacy and political programming, such as the ACSPA-Political Action Committee (SurgeonsPAC).

Member Services

The BoR accepted resignations from 11 Fellows and changed the status from Active or Senior to Retired for 94 Fellows.

Education

Several named lecturers were approved for Clinical Congress 2025, October 4-7 in Chicago. The BoR approved Ethics Committee’s proposals for panel sessions on “Ethical and Equitable Care in Patients Who Are Incarcerated or Detained,” “Humanitarian Crisis and Armed Conflict: Ethical Obligations Surrounding Healthcare,” and “Ethical Challenges of Open Notes: Case Review and Problem-Based Learning.” A Meet-the-Expert Session, “Managing Uncertainty for High Stakes Surgical Decisions: Using Best Case/Worst Case,” also was approved.

Integrated Communications

A strategic analysis by the Division of Integrated Communications was conducted in February 2023 to review the Division’s services, programs, and products, identify internal and external challenges, define future vision, and establish priorities for moving forward. A status update and progress on the recommendations were presented during the most recent meeting and included:

• Digital transformation
• Developing a members-only mobile app
• Enhancing patient resources and tools on facs.org
• Improving facs.org search and navigation functions

Information Technology

The mission of the Information Technology area is to enable the College to enhance surgical excellence through innovative technology. The BoR heard a presentation on the area’s focus to develop resilient, ethical, secure information technology platforms and services that adapt to the evolving needs of members, staff, and the healthcare community. Updates also were provided on assessments for HIPAA/cybersecurity to stay abreast of new risks and vulnerabilities and implementing artificial intelligence policies, compliance, and training.

In addition, ACS Chief Health Informatics Officer, Genevieve Melton-Meaux, MD, PhD, FACS, provided an overview and long-term data strategy for ACS registries.

Research and Optimal Patient Care

The Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care (DROPC) encompasses the areas of Continuous Quality Improvement, Trauma, and Cancer Program and includes ACS research and accreditation programs.

The BoR approved the Committee on Trauma’s updated blueprint for a National Trauma and Emergency Preparedness System.

Written reports to the BoR from the Trauma team included information on the upcoming Committee on Trauma Annual Meeting and 2025 Advanced Trauma Life Support^® (ATLS^®) Global Symposium, which will be held March 14-16 in Chicago. The report also provided updates on:

• The ATLS 11th edition Learner Course, which is expected to launch this summer, will feature a new design, delivery options (traditional live and hybrid), and interactive virtual segments. The ATLS 11 Instructor Course has been piloted and is undergoing further revisions.
• The MyATLS App, which was released last fall, using ATLS 10th edition content and previewing some of the functionality enhancements that will be incorporated into the 11th edition release. More than 4,600 downloads have been purchased via a one-time subscription fee. After the ATLS 11th edition content is available in the app, a new, annual subscription process will be available. The ATLS 11th edition will feature frequent content updates and gamification functionality to foster medical decision-making skills.
• The ACS Stop the Bleed (STB) program is in the final development stages of the enhancements to the program management platform. The revisions will help expand the global reach of course search and course management, enhance internal and external program administration, and create a more user-friendly interface for instructors and the public. Additional enhancements include a training center and organizational portal access and management, and creation of a unique reporting dashboard for STB and ACS leadership. A multichannel campaign to promote the STB store and kits is underway. COT programs also continue to promote equipment purchases.

ACS Foundation

The mission of the ACS Foundation, a separate 501(c)3 organization, is to secure financial support for initiatives in surgical research, education, rural surgery, trauma, and more—all to ultimately promote better patient outcomes. The Foundation offers a wide spectrum of funding opportunities for ACS Fellows and supporters to ensure the highest level of surgical care and education.

A written report presented to the BoR noted that, since July 1, 2024, the Foundation has secured approximately $1.4 million in restricted and unrestricted revenue for the College. Activities at Clinical Congress 2024 resulted in more than $121,000 in new gifts and pledges, and the Fall Appeal/Year End Appeal raised more than $127,000 from 207 donors.

The Foundation partnered with the Division of Member Services to establish two new Chapter Funds (New Hampshire and Metropolitan Washington, DC) and successfully secured $155,000 to support the 2025 Excelsior Surgical Society meeting—Back to Rome: Preserving the Heritage and Ethos of Military Surgery, February 18–20 in Rome, Italy.

Dr. Marion Curtiss Henry is the Chair of the ACS Board of Governors and professor of surgery at The University of Chicago Medicine, where she also serves as the medical director of the operating rooms and pediatric surgery quality officer at Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL.