International Programs

ACS Surgical Training Collaboratives

In 2016, ACS leadership—through the Board of Regents—undertook an in-depth assessment of its international activities. Following that assessment, it was decided that the ACS had the opportunity, means, and motivation to collaborate with low-resource countries to strengthen their local surgical capacity. Operation Giving Back (OGB), an ACS program originally developed to help Fellows participate in humanitarian medical missions, shifted to developing more hands-on programming in partnership with other surgical colleges around the world. After a rigorous assessment, it was determined that the College of Surgeons of Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) would be the first partner. Since 2016, three sites have emerged as surgical education and training collaboratives—one each in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Zambia.

Hawassa Ethiopia

Hawassa University serves as a training hub with local and regional impact with a mission of innovation, clinical research, and patient care.

Lusaka Zambia

The Lusaka surgical training hub focuses on specific procedures and subspecialties as priority items for both UTH and Levy Mwanawasa trainees and faculty.

Kigali Rwanda

The Kigali, Rwanda surgical training hub focuses on the development of surgical specialties including cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery, and trauma/critical care.

Scholarships

COSECSA Women Scholars

From its inception, the ACS has prioritized international surgical collaboration.

ACS Academic Global Surgery Fellowship

The Academic Global Surgery Fellowship aims to address surgical disparities in underserved populations and access to surgical care.