Transformative Technology, Evolving Practice Will Be Explored at Clinical Congress 2025

For the first time in a decade, the ACS Clinical Congress will return to Chicago, Illinois, for one of the largest surgical meetings in the world. 

In addition to the returning Saturday–Tuesday footprint, the meeting has been enhanced by adding the Windy City Welcome Reception to Saturday evening, which will blend Chicago’s renowned cuisine, vibrant culture, and stunning skyline with a celebration of The House of Surgery®. This event, which combines the Saturday President’s Reception and Taste of the City (previously held on Tuesday), will follow Convocation, and all Clinical Congress registrants and their family members are encouraged to attend. 

Another event not to miss is a celebration of the career of Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, who will retire later this year as Senior Vice President of the ACS Division of Education.

“In the past nearly 2 and half decades, Dr. Sachdeva has transformed the Division of Education from a few educational programs into a vibrant division featuring programs for medical students, residents, practitioners, surgeons, and patients,” said Fabrizio Michelassi, MD, FACS, Chair of the ACS Board of Regents. “We invite all attendees to help us celebrate the many contributions of Dr. Sachdeva.”

The ACS will collect cards, notes, and other remembrances during the celebration for later distribution to Dr. Sachdeva.

In-Depth Explorations into AI and Robotics

In 2025, Clinical Congress is “meeting the moment” for surgeons with a focus on how technology is transforming practice.

Exploration into how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect surgery continues to grow. Consider attending several expert-led sessions that will cover AI issues of broad interest:

• Using ChatGPT and AI for Beginners (Opening Day Thematic Session)
• AI: Who Is in Control? (Opening Day Thematic Session)
• Artificial Intelligence in Surgical Science: Clinical Prediction Models, Large Language Models, and Computer Vision

The practical applications and research into robotics will be another technology-based focus this year. Events will include a Special Session on credentialing and privileging for robotic surgery, the returning Surgical Skills Course on the essentials of robotic hernia surgery, and more (separate registration is required for Didactic and Skills Courses).

Engaging Scientific Content for All Surgeons

A spectrum of other topics will be covered in more than 100 Panel Sessions, including those central to general surgeons such as cholecystitis and appendicitis, in addition to the perennial favorite “Ten Hot Topics in General Surgery.”

The ACS Program Committee also has included specialized thematic tracks early in the conference, with other Opening Day Thematic Sessions on education, endocrine, hernia, trauma, and orthopaedics, in addition to a variety of multidisciplinary sessions throughout the event. 

All attendees are encouraged to check out the returning, interactive Great Debates sessions this year, which have grown to four multidisciplinary and collegial debates on benign biliary disease, bariatric surgery, diverticulitis, and rectal cancer.

Additionally, the robust Scientific Forum offers the latest high-quality, in-progress scientific and academic surgery reports, including the returning High-Impact Clinical Trials and Studies session.

Networking Enhances the Conference Experience

The outstanding hands-on and didactic learning opportunities at Clinical Congress are further enhanced by the many opportunities to engage with peers, whether by catching up after a session or attending an engagement event.

“It is the networking, it is the energy, it is the camaraderie that we as a College offer through Clinical Congress. I’m looking forward to seeing friends, colleagues, and others who have not met for a while and having some sidebar conversations, in addition to availing myself of the strong program,” Dr. Sachdeva said.

Visit the Exhibit Hall

Throughout the conference, attendees will be able to visit ACS Central to learn about the latest College programs and services, engage in presentations at the Innovation Theater, and visit the more than 150 expected companies that will display their products and services in the Exhibit Hall.

The fourth iteration of the Surgical Ergonomics Clinic—free this year—also will be present, featuring ergonomic coaches helping surgeons apply the updated ACS Surgical Ergonomics Recommendations in a simulated environment to assess and reduce their physical burden in practice.

Register Today

This hybrid event will again offer select content in a virtual, on-demand format, which will remain available for access through February 23, 2026.

With opportunities for unequaled education, networking opportunities, and nearly 200 hours of CME credit, Clinical Congress 2025 is one event you won’t want to miss.