The Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons (RAS-ACS) is the only national surgical organization devoted to the needs and concerns of surgical trainees and early-career surgeons. RAS-ACS is comprised of two groups:
- Resident Members – Residents and those in fellowship in all surgical specialties
- Associate Fellows – Practicing surgeons in all surgical specialties who have completed training but who are not yet a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
Mission and Purpose
- To develop and promote programs for surgical trainees and early-career surgeons
- To provide an avenue for leadership and engagement within the ACS
- To support the professional growth of surgical trainees and early-career surgeons through scholarships and research opportunities
- To provide networking and mentorship opportunities for surgical trainees and early-career surgeons
Establishing RAS Representatives within each ACS chapter is a priority of the ACS. As chapters strive to provide educational, advocacy, and leadership opportunities for all local surgeons, representation from surgical trainees (Resident Members) and early-career surgeons (Associate Fellows) on the governing council of chapters is increasingly important. Chapters benefit from having RAS Representatives on their Chapter Council in the following ways:
- Chapters gain a fresh perspective of surgeons in training and surgeons new to practice
- Chapters create a pathway for members to join and remain an active part ACS chapters
- RAS Representatives can promote peer-to-peer recruitment and distribution of information regarding the activities of the Chapter to trainees and early-career surgeons in practice
- Chapters provide an opportunity for RAS Representatives to become future leaders of chapters and the American College of Surgeons
- RAS Representatives bring the energy and enthusiasm of trainees and early-career surgeons to chapter meetings and activities
- RAS Representatives can contribute to the planning of events specifically for trainees and Associate Fellows
RAS Representatives are typically selected by chapters and not by the College. An article in the bylaws of a chapter can specifically include a RAS Representative. One option (A) is an appointment by the Chapter President/Council, and another option (B) is an election by a RAS committee. This second option requires an active committee within the chapter and may include a representative of all surgical residencies located within the chapter’s boundaries. Additionally, each chapter must decide whether to make its RAS Representative a voting member or a non-voting member of the Council. The College recommends that the RAS Representative be a voting member. Located below is suggested language to amend the bylaws of a chapter to include a RAS Representative. This is suggested language, and not rules or requirements imposed on chapters.
Option A
RAS Representative Appointed by President/Council
A member of the Resident and Associate Society (RAS) of the College in good standing, appointed by the (President/Council) of the Chapter to serve a two (2) year term. The RAS representative is a voting member of the Council. The President/Council will appoint two RAS Representatives that are (A) an Associate Fellow living or working within the boundaries of the Chapter, and (B) a surgical trainee (resident member or members in fellowship training) associated with a graduate medical education institution located within the chapter’s boundaries.
Option B
RAS Representative Elected by RAS Committee
A member of the Resident and Associate Society (RAS) of the College in good standing, selected by the RAS Committee via an election to serve a two (2) year term. The RAS representative is a voting member of the Council. The RAS Committee holds elections for two RAS Representatives who must be (A) an Associate Fellow living or working within the boundaries of the Chapter, or (B) a surgical trainee (resident member or member in fellowship) associated with a graduate medical education institution located within the chapter’s boundaries.
Regardless of selection process, RAS Representatives are expected to bring the ideas and concerns of Resident Members and Associate Fellows to the attention of the chapter council. RAS Representatives should also report back to the members of their respected constituents regarding chapter business. These constituents are to include residents, Associate Fellows, and Fellows in that local chapter’s jurisdiction.
RAS Representatives selected to be on a chapter council should act with integrity and professionalism while serving in their advisory role. Respecting that chapters have different governance structures, chapter leadership and the RAS Representative should together outline the expectations and goals for the defined term. These expectations and goals may include:
- Active participation in chapter council meetings
- Serving as the voice on the Council for Resident Members and Associate Fellows of all specialties located in the chapter area
- Assisting the chapter in its efforts to recruit and engage Resident Members and Associate Fellows in the programs offered by the chapter and the ACS
- Reviewing the Resident Member and Associate Fellow newsletters and sharing relevant information with chapter leadership
- Attending monthly virtual RAS-ACS workgroup meetings and sharing relevant information with the chapter leadership
- Attending the educational meetings and advocacy days of the chapter
- Attending Clinical Congress and the Leadership & Advocacy Summit is strongly encouraged
There are several programming opportunities that RAS Representatives can assist with implementing. Chapter Services and RAS developed an interview series to spotlight several engagement activities within ACS chapters. These “how to” videos include:
RAS Representatives interested in implementing any of the abovementioned activities, or other idea such as those listed below, should discuss them with chapter leadership.
- ACS Case Reviews in Surgery Competition
- Survivor Game
- Encouraging residents to transition to Associate Fellow
- Encouraging Associate Fellows to apply for FACS
It is important to report updated contact information for both your Resident Member and Associate Fellow RAS Representatives, along with their expected term of service, to acschapters@facs.org. Should the chapter become aware that its RAS Representative is no longer an ACS member, it will replace the role with another surgeon eligible for the position and will notify Chapter Services immediately.
Chapter Services works closely with the RAS-ACS Membership Workgroup and the RAS-ACS Board of Governors Chapter Activities Workgroup Liaison to support RAS Chapter Representatives. Opportunities are provided throughout the year to communicate chapter updates to other RAS-ACS members, share best practices with representatives from other chapters, and gauge the needs and priorities of surgical trainees and early-career surgeons.
