AEI Consortium

We have created a consortium of comprehensive and focused accredited education institutes (AEIs) that work together to offers opportunities for members to collaborate; conduct research and have access to resources from fellow AEIs and the ACS in order to effectively train their various learner groups to promote patient safety through simulation.

The work of the Consortium is supported by the volunteer committees highlighted here—all provide resources and education to Consortium Institutes.

Terms are two years and committee members can serve up to two, two-year terms. Additional terms will be approved by the program’s leadership. In addition, broad committee representation by AEIs is encouraged.

Committees

The work of the ACS-AEI Consortium is done voluntarily through its committee structure. The primary goal of the Committees is to facilitate the value of being in the Consortium through products and services.

Administration and Management Committee

The Administration and Management Committee offers guidance, support, and knowledge transfer to grow and develop surgical simulation centers.

Faculty Development Committee

The Faculty Development Committee helps surgical educators achieve greater excellence in education and educational research throughout their careers.

Fellowship Committee

The Fellowship Committee is responsible for the Standards and Criteria and the recommendation of accreditation for the AEI Fellowship Program.

International Committee

The International Committee serves to breakdown the silos among the different AEIs across the globe.

Abstract Review and Program Committee

The Abstract Review and Program Committee assists AEI staff and leadership with planning and implementing the ACS Surgical Simulation Summit.

Research and Development Committee

The Research and Development Committee aims to establish the AEI as a leader in simulation-based research to promote improvement in care and outcomes.

Accreditation Review Committee

The Accreditation Review Committee consists of ACS Fellows with expertise in various aspects of simulation-based surgical education and training.

Get Involved

Generally, a Call for Nomination is advertised to the Consortium membership, requesting the names of AEI members along with their CVs for review and approval on a particular Committee. AEI staff will keep files on all of the nominations that come in for consideration. These files will be a reference when a position on a committee opens up. AEI Members are nominated to a Committee through Consortium leadership, by self-nomination or another AEI Member. Committee member selection is in part based on an interest or expertise in the work of the Committee, as well as some familiarity or experience with running or working in an AEI center. Consultants from non-AEIs are brought aboard a committee on an as-needed basis and approved by the Chair of the ACS Program for the Accreditation of Education Institutes/Director, ACS Division of Education. The Consortium leadership has the final approval of all Committee candidates.

For more information on joining a committee, contact us at edinstitutes@facs.org.

Leadership of the ACS AEI Program

The leadership of the ACS-AEI Program ensures that accreditation is awarded through a rigorous process implemented by the Accreditation Review Committee (ARC). The other activities of the Consortium are led and supported by standing committees, workgroups and taskforces, all of which provide practical educational products in specific content areas to assist members in their pursuit of excellence.

Chair

Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, MAMSE
Director, Division of Education, American College of Surgeons

Consultants

Carlos A. Pellegrini, MD, FACS, FRCSI(Hon), FRCS(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), MAMSE

Richard M. Satava, MD, FACS

Core Staff

Kathleen A. Johnson, EdM
Assistant Director

Catherine Sormalis
Senior Manager

Karrington Butler
Program Administrator

Additional Staff Support

Patrice Gabler Blair, MPH
Associate Director