On behalf of the American College of Surgeons, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 20th anniversary of the Quality and Safety Conference. Renowned for its stunning coastline, rich history, and dynamic innovation, San Diego, California provides an extraordinary setting for this milestone event.
The 2025 Quality and Safety Conference marks two decades of collaboration, progress, and dedication to raising the standards of surgical practice and improving patient care. This anniversary is not only a celebration of our collective achievements but also an opportunity to envision the future. We extend our deepest gratitude to those who have been part of this journey over the years and a warm welcome to those joining us for the first time.
I am thrilled to announce that this year’s program chair is Dr. Bruce Hall, Interim Vice Chancellor of Human Health Sciences and Chief Clinical Officer at UC Davis Health. Dr. Hall is a long-standing leader, key contributor, and champion of the ACS Quality Programs. His extensive experience and impactful contributions made him the ideal person to shape this year’s conference content.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Embracing Change and the Future of Quality.” Change is synonymous with growth; it is not something to resist but rather a force to embrace. The evolution of surgical quality and safety has been driven by those willing to innovate, adapt, and challenge the status quo. This year’s sessions will reflect on the past, assess the present, and explore the future of surgical care, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and resilience in our field. As always, QSC is a premier conference for multidisciplinary and international collaboration, where healthcare professionals from around the world come together to share best practices, discuss challenges, and develop strategies to enhance surgical patient care. This year’s programming is designed to foster meaningful dialogue, connecting experts from diverse backgrounds to exchange insights on achieving high-quality care. These discussions will feature emerging and trending topics, including the future of registry concepts, artificial intelligence, and measurement and reimbursement. We are also honored to welcome our 2025 Keynote speaker, the revered Jack Becker. A highly decorated combat US Navy Fighter Pilot, Jack will join us to share his experiences and expertise on dramatically reducing errors and optimizing performance— critical skills for every medical professional.
Our 2025 sessions offer a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements across a wide range of surgical specialties. Whether you’re looking to challenge conventional thinking, refine your clinical approach, or stay ahead of emerging trends, these sessions are designed to spark meaningful discussions and drive real-world impact. To provide you with a glimpse of the depth of knowledge that lies ahead, the session entitled “Future of Surgery: AI, Robotics, and Remote Care” will delve into the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence and robotics within surgery and the exponential growth of related technological advancements. The session, “Challenging Preconceived Notions about Operating on Older Adults: How Multidisciplinary Collaboration Can Impact Decision Making,” will explore how innovative, team-based approaches can optimize outcomes for older surgical patients. If you’re interested in perusing new topics, “The Past, Present, and Future of Breast Reconstruction Surgery,” will investigate evolving techniques and what’s next in the field. The breakout session, “Riding the Tide of Change: Advancing Perioperative Antibiotic Stewardship in Children’s Surgery Programs,” will examine critical strategies to enhance patient safety and outcomes. These are just a few examples of the diverse and thought-provoking sessions available—each designed to expand your perspective, challenge assumptions, and provide actionable takeaways that you can implement in your practice.
To cultivate networking opportunities, we are hosting two special events. The Welcome Reception will take place on Friday evening at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Just as aviation and space exploration have been shaped by pioneers willing to push boundaries, surgical quality has evolved through bold innovation and a commitment to excellence. As you explore exhibits showcasing phenomenal technological advancements, take a moment to reflect on how far we have come in surgical care—and how much further we can go when we embrace progress. On Saturday, the Abstract Reception will provide an opportunity to engage with authors of leading research in surgical quality and safety.
As we celebrate 20 years of progress, we also look ahead to the future—building on the relationships, innovations, and knowledge shared at this conference to drive meaningful improvements in surgical quality and safety for years to come. In 2026, the ACS Cancer Conference will be joining the Quality and Safety Conference. This innovative partnership will provide an expanded, integrated, and multidisciplinary conference experience
It is our sincere hope that the 2025 ACS Quality and Safety Conference, celebrating its 20th anniversary, will inspire, educate, and empower you. Change is a constant principle of life and medicine—let’s embrace it together as we continue the essential work of improving surgical practices and enhancing patient outcomes worldwide.
Sincerely,
Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, FACS, FASCRS
Director, ACS Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care
