Committee on Global Engagement Updates

Coming January 2026: The ACS H.O.P.E. Global Health in Surgery Certificate Program

ACS H.O.P.E. is very grateful to the more than 50 volunteers who have dedicated their time and knowledge to developing the ACS H.O.P.E. Global Health in Surgery Certificate Program. This program is a year-long, fully virtual, 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.

Through nine modules given over 12 months with both asynchronous and synchronous learning components, this course emphasizes equity, sustainability, and ethical collaboration, aligning with the ACS commitment to excellence and global impact.

This certificate program is intended for individuals at various stages of their global health careers interested in developing their knowledge in global health education, systems strengthening, and partnership. The 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. The course is unique in that it has been developed for surgeons by surgeons. The inaugural course is limited to 25 participants.

The application cycle is now open and will close on November 17. For more information on course fees and how to apply, visit the course website.

10 Residents Receive Scholarships to Attend ACS Clinical Congress

Each year, the Committee on Global Engagement through ACS H.O.P.E. awards 10 grants to residents with career interests in global health. This competitive grant supports the attendance of residents at Clinical Congress and their participation in the didactic course, “Global Health Competencies for Surgeons.” The award is worth up to $1,000, which covers the course registration and other travel expenses.

With a wide range of interests, backgrounds, and specialties, these 10 scholars added richness and depth to the 2025 course cohort led by the Education Subcommittee members and course chairs, Jennifer Rickard, MD, MPH, FACS, and Edgar Rodas, MD, FACS. Read more about the 10 resident scholars.

Two US-Based Residents Receive $25,000 for Collaborative Research Projects

The ACS H.O.P.E. Surgical Training Collaboratives in Hawassa, Ethiopia, and Lusaka, Zambia support collaborative research activities. ACS H.O.P.E. offers two annual awards for research projects connected to each site. The residents must be ACS members and training at one of the US institutions that participates in a collaborative consortium. These projects must address priority areas for each site and emphasize collaboration with local collaborative site faculty. The awardees will spend the next year conducting their research and will present their results at the 2026 Clinical Congress in Washington, DC.

Kyle Alexander, MD, MS

ACS Global Surgery Fellow, VCU Global Surgery Fellow, Virgina Commonwealth University

Dr. Kyle Alexander is a general surgery resident at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, and an ACS Academic Global Surgery Fellow. He has prior experience in trauma system evaluation in Rwanda and is completing a master of science degree in biostatistics. Dr. Alexander founded the Acute Care and Systems Strengthening in Low Resource Settings program at VCU, serving as an instructor and mentor for medical students in global acute care systems. 

His research centers on trauma systems and implementation at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Ethiopia, including the design and deployment of the hospital’s first trauma alert system, conducting comprehensive trauma capacity assessments, and mentoring local research collaborators. He anticipates that implementing trauma alert criteria and providing trauma team training will improve team performance and response times, enhance identification of severely injured patients, ensure more complete team assembly, reduce time to critical interventions, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Vanessa Niba, MD, MS

Research Fellow, General Surgery Resident, University of Michigan

Dr. Vanessa Niba is a general surgery resident at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and originally from Yaoundé, Cameroon. She is dedicated to improving access to surgical care for children in low- and middle-income countries. Her work focuses on developing sustainable strategies to enhance surgical preparedness, with particular attention to nutritional optimization for pediatric patients, and examining system-level disparities in cancer care delivery. Her research involves developing and validating a culturally appropriate nutritional assessment tool for pediatric surgical outreach in rural Zambia using a three-phase, mixed-methods approach in collaboration with local healthcare teams. She will work on reviewing existing records, assessing provider knowledge, and prospectively implementing and refining the tool during live outreach programs. Dr. Niba looks forward to contributing to the Zambian team’s efforts to advance coordinated, context-sensitive approaches that promote equitable pediatric surgical care.

ACS H.O.P.E. Expert Lecture Series Continues Every Month

The ACS H.O.P.E. Global Surgery Expert Lecture Series, held every third Thursday of the month, features leading experts to discuss critical issues across a wide range of surgical topics identified by our partners in the east, central, and southern African regions. These interactive sessions provide high-quality overviews on topics relevant to surgeons at all career stages and specialties. 

Lectures in Q3 2025 included:

• Minimal Access, Maximum Input: Promulgating Laparoscopy Worldwide | July 17
  This lecture explores key concepts for maximizing the impact and sustainability of laparoscopic surgery development in resource-limited countries, using real-world examples from around the globe. It highlights practical strategies, cultural considerations, and innovative approaches to building lasting surgical capacity.
  
  • Speaker: Raymond Price, MD, FACS
  • View Recording

• The Breath of Life: Principles and Practice of Ventilatory Support in Critical Care | August 21
  This lecture provides an overview of the principles, indications, and practical applications of ventilatory support in critically ill patients, emphasizing lung mechanics, gas exchange, and maintaining adequate oxygenation and ventilation. The speaker also will cover key ventilation modes, parameter adjustments, and common complications such as barotrauma and ventilator-associated pneumonia.
  
  • Speaker: Laura Withers, MD, FACS
  • View Recording

• Reconstruction that Restores: Mastering Local, Regional, and Perforator Flaps | September 18
  Discover practical surgical insights and real-world experiences in flap reconstruction. This lecture reviews key principles, classifications, and design considerations while highlighting proven techniques and case-based tips for local, regional, and perforator flaps. Drawing on extensive clinical experience, this lecture emphasizes strategies to optimize both functional and aesthetic outcomes in reconstructive surgery.
  • Speaker: Tesfaye Mulat, MD, MPhil, FCS(ECSA)
  • View Recording

Upcoming lecture topics include simulation-based training, abdominal wall dehiscence prevention and repair of complex hernias, and the development of first responder and emergency medical services infrastructure systems.

Register for upcoming lectures.