History of the Academy
In 2014, Dr. Ajit Sachdeva presented to the American College of Surgeons Board of Regents the concept for this unique Academy and the proposal from the ACS Division of Education to establish this Academy. The Regents approved the concept and the proposal unanimously and enthusiastically. A Steering Committee of preeminent surgeon educators was appointed with Dr. L.D. Britt and Dr. Sachdeva as Co-Chairs, and the membership of the Committee is listed below on this webpage. The model for the Academy was developed by the Steering Committee. A stellar staff team, including Dr. Alisa Nagler and Ms. Susan Newman, was recruited to support the Academy and its landmark programs and activities. Mr. Stephen Simalchik was subsequently recruited to join this staff team. Ms. Patrice Blair has made major contributions to the Academy in the role of Advisor and Ms. Linda Lupi has also made significant contributions.
The Academy was launched in 2017 and the first cohort of Founding Members and Associate Members was inducted in 2018. The new category of Affiliate Membership was added in 2019. The Academy has been charged to identify and engage innovators and thought leaders from the field of surgical education and to translate innovation into action.
Read about the Establishment of the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators in the April 2019 issue of the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons.
Purpose
The aim of the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is to recognize and assemble a cadre of renowned master surgeon educators who will work closely with the ACS Division of Education, to advance the science and practice of avant-garde surgical education and training.
The Academy aims to:
- Define megatrends in surgical education and training
- Steer advances in this field
- Foster innovation and collaboration
- Support faculty development and recognition
- Underscore the critical importance of surgical education and training in the changing milieu of health care
Members of the Academy are selected through a rigorous peer-review process and induction into this prestigious academy is a high honor. Academy members will be expected to actively engage in activities to address the aforementioned goals of the Academy. Membership in the Academy will be open to master surgeon educators from across the surgical specialties.
Goals
The goals of the Academy are to:
- Identify and recognize Master Surgeon Educators
- Accelerate the development of Master Surgeon Educators by including promising candidates in the Academy
- Offer mentorship to surgeon educators throughout their professional careers
- Advance the science and practice of innovative lifelong surgical education, training, and scholarship in the changing milieu of health care
- Foster the exchange of creative ideas and collaboration
- Support the development and recognition of faculty
- Underscore the importance of lifelong surgical education and training
- Positively impact quality and patient safety through lifelong surgical education and training
- Disseminate advances in education and training to all surgeons
