JACS Mission Statement

Honoring Our Past, Shaping the Future: A New Mission for the Journal of the American College of Surgeons

The Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS) has a rich history, originally launched in 1905 as “Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics” by Dr. Franklin Martin. It played a pivotal role in the development of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), with the journal itself serving as a catalyst for the first Clinical Congresses in 1910, and the founding of ACS in 1913. For over a century, the ACS has stood for a promise: to serve patients with integrity, to elevate standards, and to lead the surgical profession into a better future.

In 1994, the journal name was changed to its present one. As the flagship scientific journal of the ACS, JACS has been aligned with the ACS by publishing the research, ideas, and innovations that define and refine surgical care.

Now, as the ACS boldly steps into the future with its new 2025 Strategic Plan, JACS is proud to unveil a new mission statement of our own—one that both honors our heritage and looks ahead to the future of surgery.

Our New Mission Statement

“Exceptional science for the practicing surgeon in The House of Surgery®.”

This statement reflects what we aspire to be: a journal that both shares surgical knowledge and helps drive meaningful change for all practicing surgeons in The House of Surgery®—all disciplines, practices, and specialties under the umbrella of surgery.

Aligning with the ACS

Our new mission is aligned with the ACS Strategic Plan, which is built around four central pillars, all supported by the transcending principle that has guided ACS since its inception: skill and trust in service to the patient.

Advance Patient-Centered Care and Surgical Quality

From our earliest issues, JACS has been dedicated to publishing research that improves patient outcomes and raises the standard of surgical care. We reaffirm this goal with a renewed focus on making high-quality, evidence-based care the bedrock of our efforts. At JACS, we are doubling down on our commitment to disseminate the kind of science that informs smarter policies, empowers patients, and enhances trust in our profession. 

Revolutionize and Educate

Education has been at the heart of JACS activities. As ACS invests in modernizing its learning platforms and expanding content across surgical specialties, JACS will continue to be a key player in surgical education. We are introducing new author guidelines to make the submission process clearer, and better aligned with best practices in scientific communication.

Innovate and Accelerate

In a fast-changing world, the status quo is falling behind. This third pillar highlights ACS’s commitment to agility, digital transformation, and innovation. At JACS, we are investing in the same spirit—streamlining publication processes, exploring new multimedia formats, and spotlighting research that leverages AI, health informatics, and other technologies to push surgical science forwards.

Unify and Advocate

JACS has long served as a platform for many voices in surgery. As ACS strengthens its role as The House of Surgery®, our journal will seek the best science that cuts across disciplines and global borders. We are also committed to amplify scholarship that informs effective advocacy for all surgical patients, our profession, and the future of surgical care.

Thank You

It is an extraordinary honor to be the 8th Editor-in-Chief in the 120-year history of our journal. We are excited for what’s ahead and are grateful to have you with us. Whether it’s publishing the latest science, sharing new ideas, or challenging conventional thinking, we’re more committed than ever to serving as a catalyst for progress in surgery.

To our authors, reviewers, readers, and the entire ACS community: thank you for your trust. You’ve helped shape the journal’s legacy—and together, we’ll shape its future.

Thomas K. Varghese Jr. MD, MS, MBA, FACS
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS)