Unsupported Browser
The American College of Surgeons website is not compatible with Internet Explorer 11, IE 11. For the best experience please update your browser.
Close
Member ID
Become a Member
Open Search
Menu
ACS Home
Donate to ACS Foundation
About Us
Advocacy & Policy
Quality Programs
For Surgeons
For Patients
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Become a Member
ACS Home
Donate to ACS Foundation
Quality Programs
For Surgeons
For Patients
Advocacy & Policy
About Us
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Become a Member
Popular searches
Frequent searches
ACS

ACS H.O.P.E. Global Health in Surgery Certificate Program

January 1, 2026–December 31, 2026

ACS H.O.P.E. Global Health in Surgery Certificate Program

Course Description

The ACS H.O.P.E. Global Health in Surgery Certificate Program is a year-long, competency-based learning experience designed to deepen knowledge, foster leadership skills, and promote advocacy and capacity building in the field of global surgery. Through structured modules, expert mentorship, collaborative learning, and a capstone project, participants will develop the ability to contribute meaningfully to improving surgical care worldwide.

The course emphasizes equity, sustainability, and ethical collaboration, aligning with the ACS commitment to excellence and global impact.

Course Setting and Structure

This hybrid course is divided into 9 modules delivered over 12 months, with both asynchronous and synchronous learning components, culminating in a Capstone Project. There is no in-person component.

Course Components

  • Modules: Focused content areas with required readings, recorded lectures, and live virtual sessions.
  • Faculty-Led Discussions: Virtual small-group discussions led by module faculty.
  • Mentorship Meetings: Individual or small-group mentorship sessions to support professional development and capstone progress.
  • Capstone Project: A culminating project integrating course learning into a scholarly or practice-based deliverable.
Month
Module
Topics/Objectives
January Introduction Introduction to the course and capstone project
February Global Burden of Surgical Disease Introduction to global surgery, burden of disease, metrics, barriers to care, strategies for improvement
March Health and Health Systems National health care models, system structures, workforce development
April Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Health disparities, social/environmental factors affecting surgery access
May Strengthening Surgical System Capacity Surgical ecosystems, capacity building, financing education/training models
June Effective Collaborations and Partnerships Building equitable, sustainable global partnerships
July Research in Global Surgery Research ethics, design, methods, community engagement, dissemination
August Ethics and Professionalism Ethical frameworks for global health research, volunteering, and partnerships
September Health Equity, Social Justice, and the right to Essential Care Global surgery policy evolution, SDGs, advocacy frameworks
October Implementing the Course Pathways to integrate global surgery into your career through program development, mentorship, advocacy, and society engagement
November Resource/Capstone Development Key organizations, courses, and tools to support ongoing global surgery learning and involvement and dedicated time for capstone work/mentorship
December Capstone Presentations and Course Conclusion Virtual capstone presentation symposium and course reflection
Month
Module
Topics/Objectives
January Introduction Introduction to the course and capstone project
February Global Burden of Surgical Disease Introduction to global surgery, burden of disease, metrics, barriers to care, strategies for improvement
March Health and Health Systems National health care models, system structures, workforce development
April Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Health disparities, social/environmental factors affecting surgery access
May Strengthening Surgical System Capacity Surgical ecosystems, capacity building, financing education/training models
June Effective Collaborations and Partnerships Building equitable, sustainable global partnerships
July Research in Global Surgery Research ethics, design, methods, community engagement, dissemination
August Ethics and Professionalism Ethical frameworks for global health research, volunteering, and partnerships
September Health Equity, Social Justice, and the right to Essential Care Global surgery policy evolution, SDGs, advocacy frameworks
October Implementing the Course Pathways to integrate global surgery into your career through program development, mentorship, advocacy, and society engagement
November Resource/Capstone Development Key organizations, courses, and tools to support ongoing global surgery learning and involvement and dedicated time for capstone work/mentorship
December Capstone Presentations and Course Conclusion Virtual capstone presentation symposium and course reflection

Intended Audience

This certificate program is intended for individuals at various stages of their global health careers who are interested in developing their knowledge in global health education, systems strengthening, and partnership. This course will provide an excellent foundation for those starting the global health journey, and, for those with some experience, it will enhance their ability to engage in sustainable, mutually beneficial, and scalable partnerships. Through this course, students will join a vast network of like-minded global health advocates and mentors.  Residents and medical students with an interest or experience in global health are welcome.

Application Information

The registration window for the 2026 cohort is now open. This application closes November 17, 2025. Decisions regarding course acceptance will be emailed by December 10, 2025.

Fill Out Application

Enrollment

The course is limited to 25 participants. Letters of notification regarding course acceptance will be sent by December 12, 2025.

Course Fees

  • ACS Members: $6,000
  • Nonmembers: $8,500
  • Resident Members: $3,000
  • Medical Student Members: $1,250

Please reach out to acshope@facs.org for any questions. 

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Analyze the global burden of surgical disease and its impact on health systems.
  • Advocate effectively for policy changes that strengthen surgical systems.
  • Build and maintain equitable, sustainable partnerships in global surgery.
  • Apply principles of education and capacity building in diverse settings.
  • Evaluate ethical dilemmas and promote equity in global surgery efforts.
  • Conduct and critically appraise global surgery research.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate sustainable surgical programs.
  • Understand health systems and financing mechanisms supporting surgical care.
  • Practice cultural competence and humility in global surgical environments.