You are currently an Initiate and will become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons on Sunday, October 22, 2023. Initiates will be inducted as Fellows of the American College of Surgeons at the Convocation Ceremony held during the Clinical Congress at the Boston Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
On behalf of the ACS leadership, we hope you will join your 2023 Initiate class this year in Boston to participate in the ceremony as we recognize and honor your achievement! Your attendance at Convocation is encouraged but is not mandatory. Fellowship will be conferred in absentia upon all Initiates who are unable to attend the ceremony.
The FACS designation may NOT be used after your name in any manner until the Convocation Ceremony has concluded.
In advance of this exciting event, please note these reminders.
General Information for Initiates and Guests
- Initiates that wish to participate in the Convocation Ceremony must register for Clinical Congress. You can register and find additional information on the ACS website.
- Please reach out to registration@facs.org with questions about your registration or ms@facs.org with questions about your membership.
- Guest registration is not required for families attending the Ceremony.
- International Fellows, guest physicians, and meeting attendees: The process of obtaining a visa to attend meetings in the US currently takes much longer than in prior years. You are strongly urged to apply for a visa as early as possible, preferably at least 60 days before the start of the meeting. View detailed information regarding obtaining a visa and the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You may request a letter from the College welcoming you to the meeting when you register online for the meeting or by emailing registration@facs.org.
- Please note the doors to the ceremony open at 4:00 pm for your family, friends, and guests to take their seats.
Regalia for the Convocation Ceremony
- Official ceremonial regalia is mandatory for Initiates. Please reserve your regalia here.
- The online rental price is $75. The deadline for regalia reservations through Herff Jones is September 20, 2023. Once the deadline has passed, all regalia must be rented onsite. Please note the on-site rental price is $100 USD. (Cash or credit)
- If you reserved a robe in advance, you can pick it up at Boston Convention Center on Saturday, October 20 at 415 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02210.
- If you have questions about your Herff Jones robe order, please contact Tim McClughen at TRMcClughen@herffjones.com.
Getting Ready, the Convocation Ceremony, and the President’s Reception for New Fellows
- Initiates will assemble in the Convention Center in advance of the processional for the Convocation Ceremony. Please arrive between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
- Staff will be onsite to help robe Initiates.
- Initiates will begin lining up at 5:10 pm, and the procession will begin at 5:20 pm. You must be in line by 5:20 pm.
- The Convocation Ceremony begins at 6:00 pm and ends at approximately 8:00 pm. Please return your robe at the conclusion of the Convocation Ceremony.
- After the ceremony, please join all new Fellows and ACS leaders for the President’s Reception, which will be held in the Boston Convention Center. Your family, friends, and guests are welcome to attend the reception.
Pictures and FACS Certificates
- You will have the opportunity to take photos in your regalia against Clinical Congress-themed backdrops before and after the Convocation Ceremony.
- Formal, professional photos in regalia are available through Oscar and Associates.
- Free professional headshots are available to all Clinical Congress attendees. You will receive a link to digital photos for your professional use. You can also update your ACS Member Profile through the link.
- Pickup your FACS certificate at the Boston Convention Center. Certificate pick-up is available Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 am–4:30 pm.
Additional details about the 2023 Convocation Ceremony will be posted to this webpage as they become available. Additional questions? Please email ms@facs.org.
The American College of Surgeons is dedicated to improving the care of surgical patients and safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment.
ACS/American College of Surgeons is a registered trademark of the American College of Surgeons.
