Associate Fellow Status

If you require additional information, or need an application, contact Irene Kulyk, Administrative Supervisor of Resident Member/Associate Fellow Sections, at 312-202-5268, e-mail: ikulyk@facs.org.

Introduction

Surgeons who are beginning surgical practice and meet the specific requirements are eligible. The Associate Fellow category is also available to surgeons who, after satisfactory completion of an accredited surgical residency program, have entered an additional surgical residency, a research, or a fellowship program.

Benefits

Affiliation with the College provides surgeons with an opportunity:

1. To be identified as an active Associate Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (Associate Fellows are issued a yearly card identifying their status).
2. To participate in the College's national surgical education and other programs:
   1. The Clinical Congress without payment of registration fee.
   2. The Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP) at a reduced fee.
   3. The College's insurance programs (life, major medical, accidental death and dismemberment, disability, and office overhead expense).
3. To act as a member of the College's committees, including the Regental standing committees, and in other appropriate capacities, with the exception of Governor, Regent, officer of the College, or a member of the credentials committees.
4. To voice concerns through a recognized organization which represents the surgical profession.
5. To become an active member of the College's local Chapter.
6. To receive all general publications of the College, including the College Bulletin, the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, and special announcements.
7. To be an automatic member of the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons (RAS-ACS).

Requirements

Surgeons who apply for Associate Fellow status in the American College of Surgeons are required to have the following qualifications:

1. Graduation from a medical school acceptable to the American College of Surgeons.
2. Completion of an accredited surgical residency in the United States or Canada.
3. A full and unrestricted license to practice medicine.
4. Current engagement in a second surgical residency, a research, or a fellowship program or in a surgical specialty practice in the United States or Canada (certain time limitations are specified under the conditions relating to termination)
5. Interest in pursuing professional excellence, as an individual surgeon and as a member of the surgical community. The Board of Regents may modify any portion of the requirements for the Associate Fellow category at any time.

Application

The prospective Associate Fellow is required to submit with the completed application (PDF 90K) a letter from the program director verifying satisfactory completion of an accredited surgical residency, a copy of the certificate of completion of such a program, or a copy of a certificate from an appropriate surgical specialty board.

Applications may be submitted at any time.

Continuation

Continuation as an Associate Fellow is renewable on a year-to-year basis.

1. In May of each year Associate Fellows are asked to complete report forms to update their current status and their plans for the coming year:
2. Subject to the limitations listed in the following section relating to termination, Associate Fellows will be continued if they.
   1. Are enrolled in a second accredited program of postdoctoral education or a surgical fellowship.
   2. Have completed all surgical training in the United States and Canada, are engaged in surgical practice in the United States or Canada, and are awaiting fulfillment of the requirements for American or Canadian board certification and completion of the required practice time to apply for Fellowship. (The certification requirement for Fellowship is defined as certification appropriate to the applicant's specialty practice by an American Specialty Board acceptable to the American College of Surgeons, or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.)
      
      In the event of a change in practice location outside the United States or Canada, membership may be continued provided the Associate Fellow has attained certification by an American Surgical Specialty Board or an appropriate specialty certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Once the applicant has completed the required practice time for International Fellowship, the Associate Fellow must submit an International Fellowship application for processing.
   3. Have submitted an application for Fellowship which has been accepted for processing.
3. If, after review and evaluation, the annual report is approved, the Associate Fellow whose dues are current is granted continuation and, in July, is sent an identification card for the ensuing year.

Termination

While, ideally, the Associate Fellow would be continued until Fellowship is attained, some limitations must be imposed. Associate Fellows will be terminated if they:

1. Fail to submit the annual report and annual dues.
2. Fail to conform to the ethical principles and professional standards demanded by the College.
3. Fail to attain American or Canadian certification within five years of becoming an Associate Fellow. (Reinstatement is possible following attainment of certification.)
4. Have been in the practice of surgery for six years. (Associate Fellow status may be extended beyond six years if a Fellowship application has been accepted for processing.)
5. Have been an Associate Fellow for six years. (Associate Fellow status may be extended beyond six years if a Fellowship application has been accepted for processing.)

Status of the Associate Fellow

Associate Fellow status constitutes full affiliation with the College, but it is to be distinguished from Fellowship.

Fellowship is reserved for those surgeons who have formally applied for Fellowship and have been duly admitted into Fellowship at a Clinical Congress of the College.

The Associate Fellow who becomes eligible for Fellowship is encouraged to submit an application for Fellowship.

The proper term, "Associate Fellow, American College of Surgeons," may be used to indicate affiliation with the College. Use of the designation, "F.A.C.S.," by Associate Fellows is expressly forbidden.

Fees

The $75 application fee must accompany the application. The annual dues, $200, are to be submitted with the annual report form.

The Board of Regents determines the annual dues amount. The annual dues provide a number of benefits such as a waived registration fee at the College's Clinical Congress, the purchase of the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP) at a reduced rate, eligibility to participate in the College-sponsored insurance programs, and receiving the Bulletin and the Journal of the American College of Surgeons along with general publications and special announcements of the College.

Surgeons take this pledge prior to their entry into full Fellowship:

Fellowship Pledge

Recognizing that the American College of Surgeons seeks to exemplify and develop the highest traditions of our ancient profession, I hereby pledge myself, as a condition of Fellowship in the College, to live in strict accordance with the College's principles and regulations.

I pledge to pursue the practice of surgery with honesty and to place the welfare and the rights of my patient above all else. I promise to deal with each patient as I would wish to be dealt with if I was in the patient's position and I will respect the patient's autonomy and individuality.

I further pledge to affirm and support the social contract of the surgical profession with my community and society.

I will take no part in any arrangement or improper financial dealings that induce referral, treatment, or withholding of treatment for reasons other than the patient's welfare.

Upon my honor, I declare that I will advance my knowledge and skills, will respect my colleagues, and will seek their counsel when in doubt about my own abilities. In turn, I will willingly help my colleagues when requested.

I recognize the interdependency of all healthcare professionals and will treat each with respect and consideration.

Finally, by my Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons, I solemnly pledge to abide by the Code of Professional Conduct and cooperate in advancing the art and science of surgery.

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