ACS Brief

Latest Stories

Access Resources to Understand Surgeon Unionization

February 3, 2026

Following publication of the article “Is It Time for Surgeons to Unionize?” in the November/December 2024 issue of the ACS Bulletin, the ACS Board of Regents received significant feedback from Fellows and members seeking additional information about physician unionization.

Dr. Patricia Turner Receives SUS Trailblazer Award

February 3, 2026

Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, ACS Executive Director & CEO, was honored with the Society of University Surgeons (SUS) Trailblazer Award earlier today during the 21st Annual Academic Congress in Orlando, Florida—a joint meeting of SUS and the Association for Academic Surgery.

Dr. Jeff Kerby Is New ACS Medical Director, Trauma Education

February 3, 2026

Jeffrey D. Kerby, MD, PhD, FACS, from Birmingham, Alabama, is the new ACS Medical Director, Trauma Education. He begins this part-time executive leadership position on March 16, when his 4-year term ends as Chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma.

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

February 3, 2026 Issue

ACS Brief

Current Evidence Demonstrates Impact of Obesity on Obstetrics and Gynecology

Obesity poses lifelong health risks for women, influencing pregnancy outcomes, gynecologic disease, cancer risk, and health across generations.

ACS Brief

View Top JACS Articles from 2025

The highest performing JACS articles in 2025, addressed advances in AI, data-driven decision-making, and other timely topics.

ACS Brief

Start Preparing for a Successful Retirement with February 11 Webinar

An ACS webinar will offer surgeons practical guidance on retirement planning, Medicare decisions, and long-term financial security.

ACS Brief

Leadership & Advocacy Summit Is Just Weeks Away—Register Today

Join surgeons in Washington, DC, February 28–March 3, for the ACS Leadership & Advocacy Summit to build leadership skills and influence health policy.

ACS Brief

Surgeons Should Take Leading Role in Ensuring Healthcare AI Prioritizes Patient Outcomes

Surgeon leadership remains central as AI strengthens decision-making in order to maintain patient-centered care over speed or cost.

ACS Brief

Customize Your Digital ACS Experience with Surgeon’s Dashboard

The ACS Surgeon’s Dashboard gives members one place to manage dues, education, connections, and profile information.

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.

Surgeons Share Perspectives on Impactful Articles from 2025

In the latest episode of The Operative Word podcast, JACS Editor-in-Chief Dr. Tom Varghese and Digital Media Editor Dr. Lillian Erdahl review six impactful articles from the past year, highlighting key themes shaping modern surgical practice. Dr. Erdahl focuses on the surgeon as a subject, while Dr. Varghese explores advances in surgical science.

See Interactive ACS Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness Course in Action

The ACS eDMEP (Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness) course is a fully online version of DMEP that was developed by surgeons and disaster management experts to help healthcare professionals prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. One of the key features is an interactive triage gaming scenario to reinforce decision-making in realistic disaster settings—watch a demo video to see this element in action. Learn more about eDMEP.

Literature Selections

Geriatric Evaluation Before Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Provides Numerous Patient Benefits

A multidisciplinary AWR clinic study shows geriatric medicine consultation improves perioperative outcomes without delaying surgery.

Support Exoskeleton May Improve Surgeons’ Ergonomic Experience During Surgery

Early evidence suggests neck–back exoskeletons may help surgeons reduce ergonomic strain during prolonged open procedures.

Past Issues