The Committee on Young Surgeons (CYS) was established as an ad hoc committee in 1969 and as a standing committee in 1973. The CYS works to establish closer relationships between the College and Residents, Associate Fellows, and young Fellows of the College, promote active participation of young surgeons in College affairs, including the Chapter level, and to make College activities meaningful to young surgeons in all specialties. From the College's perspective, Young Surgeons are 45 or younger.

The CYS is composed of 18 members who are Fellows or Associate Fellows, and who represent various types of practices, surgical specialties, and geographic areas. Also, the CYS has two Liaison Members, who represent the Surgical Sections of their respective organizations-the American Medical Association, and the National Medical Association. The CYS is governed by Guidelines that have been approved by the College's Board of Regents.

An important component of CYS membership is leadership development, and in this regard, each CYS member serves as a Liaison to one (or more) of the various standing committees of the College and the Board of Governors. These Liaison appointments serve as a key opportunity to learn more about the College and to become knowledgeable about policy development and policy making within "organized medicine." In addition, CYS Liaisons deliver a critical perspective to nearly all of the College's deliberations, including the meetings of the Board of Regents.

Nominations for CYS members are solicited from a variety of sources-the ACS Chapters, the ACS Advisory Councils, and the Board of Regents. In addition, the CYS receives a number of "self-nominations" each year. The Board of Regents approves all CYS appointments. For more information on becoming a CYS member, contact the CYS staff liaison or your ACS Chapter.

Each year, as part of the College's Leadership Conference, the CYS hosts a special education program for Young Surgeon Representatives, who are selected by their ACS Chapters. The purpose of this annual education program, which is held in Washington, DC, is to provide young surgeon leaders with an opportunity to learn more about the College and to provide information on socioeconomic and other issues that are of vital interest to today's practicing surgeons. In addition to plenary sessions on leadership development and health policy topics, participants also meet with their members of Congress. These Capitol Hill Visits are coordinated and arranged by the College's Washington, DC, Office. Topics from previous programs can be viewed here.

Many of the College's Chapters have their own Young Surgeons Committees, and/or other special activities for Young Surgeons. For information about your Chapter's activities, contact your Chapter directly, or contact the CYS Staff Liaison.

Finally, each year at the Clinical Congress, the CYS sponsors an Initiates Program, for the newest members of the College. Over the years, various non-clinical topics have been addressed; all members of the College are welcome to attend the Initiates Program. For examples of the topics that have been presented in the past, click here.

Other activities popular with young surgeons are:

• Young Surgical Investigators (YSI) Conference
• Course in Clinical Trials Methods
• Chapter Meetings

__________
To view Portable Document Files (PDF) download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Reminder: The Adobe Acrobat Reader ranges from 3.9 MB to 7.4 MB depending on the operating system your computer uses. Please allow for sufficient download time.

Revised February 6, 2007

__________

Committee on Young Surgeons