History and Archives Committee

The History and Archives Committee (HAC) of the American College of Surgeons, formerly known as the Surgical History Group, was organized at a breakfast meeting at Clinical Congress 2013. The group was formed with the conviction that an awareness of how surgeons and surgery have evolved can add richness to our lives and serve as a guide to the future.

One of the group’s initial goals was to make surgical history an integral part of Clinical Congress by sponsoring events such as a poster competition, a breakfast presentation, and a panel session.

History and Archives Committee Roster

The History and Archives Committee supports research in surgical history through an annual Archives Fellowship. A $2,000 stipend is awarded to support research that capitalizes on the archival resources of the ACS, which includes the records of the College in Chicago and/or the Orr Collection in Omaha, NE.

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2022

Full session with keynote address by Don K. Nakayama, MD, FACS, presenting "Race and Surgery in America."

2021

Full session with keynote address by David S. Jones, MD, PhD, presenting “When Surgery Is an Experiment: Lessons from the History of Surgical Treatments for Coronary Artery Disease.”

2020

Full session with 2019-2020 Archives Fellowship presentation by Cynthia L. Tang, MSc, MA, presenting "“Seeking Control of the “Laparoscopic Revolution,” 1989-1995” and keynote address by Craig A. Miller, MD FACS, presenting "“Through a Distant Lens: Images of the Life of Dr Michael DeBakey”.

2019

Full session with keynote address by Peter J. Kernahan, MD, FACS, presenting “William J. Mayo and the Rise of American Surgery”

2018

Full session with keynote address by John L. Cameron, MD, FACS, presenting “JMT Finney—First President of the American College of Surgeons”

2017

Full session with keynote address by David L. Nahrwold, MD, FACS, presenting "The Impact of the College on Our Healthcare System"

2016

Keynote address by John A. Weigelt, MD, DVM, FACS, presenting "History of the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP)"

The ACS History and Archives Committee has compiled educational resources on the history of surgery that is specifically designed for medical students and residents in training. Resources include discussions, videos, presentations, and more.

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The 2020 History of Surgery poster session is now closed.

The History of Surgery Poster Session, sponsored by the History and Archives Committee of the American College of Surgeons, offers surgical history enthusiasts the opportunity to present on their subject of interest relating to the diseases, techniques, technology, events or personalities of particular importance to the field of surgery and its subspecialties.

Photos and presenter information from prior years are listed on the web pages for the Poster Competition.

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