ACS Brief

Latest Stories

ACS Continues Fight Against Now-Enacted Work RVU Cuts for Surgeons

January 6, 2026

Congress returned this week following the holiday recess, and the challenge of funding the government before the January 30 deadline—which, if not met, would result in another shutdown—is front and center.

In addition to the ongoing budget talks, the ACS expects there to be substantial discussions related to health insurance costs, including the now-expired enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, as well as other healthcare related policy issues.

Join Colleagues to Strengthen Leadership Skills, Champion Health Policy

The ACS Leadership & Advocacy Summit kicks off early next year, taking place at the Grand Hyatt Washington, DC hotel, February 28–March 3. The meeting will be in person only; no virtual option will be available.

This event—designed for ACS members—will provide tools to strengthen leadership capabilities, advance healthcare policy, and influence the future of surgery.

Share “Mark of Excellence” of ACS Fellowship with Your Patients

January 6, 2026

The FACS credential is a mark of excellence for which Fellows of the American College of Surgeons should proudly display on their business cards, lab coat, website, and letterhead. Two new posters were recently added to the options that let your patients know that you are a Fellow who is dedicated to the highest ideals of skill and professionalism.

Read this week's entire issue for the latest news on the ACS and the field of surgery.

January 6, 2026 Issue

ACS Brief

Nominate Your Colleagues for ACS Officers-Elect, Secretary, and Board of Regents Positions

Nominate candidates for ACS leadership roles—including Officers-Elect, Secretary, and Regents—by February 13.

ACS Brief

See List of Most Popular ACS Brief Stories from 2025

From robotic breakthroughs to workforce trends, the ACS Brief’s most-accessed articles of 2025 highlight what mattered most to surgeons.

ACS Brief

Submissions for History-Based Young Surgeons Essay Competition Are Due January 12

Submit a scholarly essay on surgical history for the ACS Young Surgeons Essay Competition; entries are due January 12.

ACS Brief

Apply for ACS/UChicago Fellowship in Surgical Ethics by January 15

The ACS and MacLean Center offer a surgical ethics fellowship combining clinical practice, scholarship, and ethics consultation.

ACS Brief

Explore ACS Financial Wellness and Practice Management Resources

The ACS offers financial planning resources to help surgeons manage earnings, insurance, and long-term financial security.

Don't Miss Out!

Go to your MyCME Portal today and verify your ABS ID and date of birth on the Board Certification Tab so you can have your CME data automatically transmitted to the ABS via ACCME.

Slime Molds, Starlings, and Seals Share Commonalities with Trauma Teams

The latest episode of The House of Surgery podcast features Dr. Avery Nathens, Medical Director for ACS Trauma Quality Programs, welcoming attendees to the 2025 Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) Annual Conference. During this 15th anniversary of the conference, Dr. Nathens offered an overview of the significant improvements in trauma care that have been made over the years, described what’s new and what’s on the horizon for ACS Trauma Programs, and explained what slime molds, starlings, and seals have in common to high-performing trauma teams.

Improved Trauma Care for Children Will Require a Coordinated System

Another recent episode of The House of Surgery podcast featured Dr. Mary Fallat, a pediatric surgeon from Louisville, Kentucky, who delivered the famed Scudder Oration on Trauma during Clinical Congress 2025. In her lecture, “Optimizing Strategies to Improve Trauma and Burn Care for Children,” Dr. Fallat talked about the need to build a coordinated system that prepares pre-hospital care clinicians and emergency departments with the supplies, education, and training needed to deliver high-quality trauma and burn care to this vulnerable population.

Literature Selections

Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy Holds Several Benefits Over Open and Laparoscopic Approaches

A national Japanese database study shows robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy reduces severe complications and fistula rates.

Pyloroplasty During Esophagectomy Reduces Early Major Postoperative Complications, Improves Gastric Emptying

Level I evidence supports adding pyloroplasty to MIE/RAMIE to lower pneumonia and leak rates without worsening early quality of life.

Past Issues