Stay informed about the latest advocacy and health policy developments from the ACS, Congress, and federal agencies—and what they mean for surgeons and their patients.
ASPR Advances Trauma Care Readiness and Coordination Program
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) recently announced the four inaugural grant recipients of the Trauma Care Readiness and Coordination Program. The program, which was previously authorized but funded for the first time in fiscal year 2026, aims to strengthen regional trauma systems and test innovative care coordination models.
Each of the four recipients is receiving $500,000 to carry out at least two pilot project activities focused on different aspects of trauma system readiness, such as strengthening coordination among trauma partners, improving patient transfers, enhancing resource tracking and communication, strengthening regional data systems and data sharing, advancing evidence-based practices, and building capacity to support trauma research.
The ACS welcomes this initial investment as an important step toward stronger regional trauma systems that can get injured patients to the right level of care more quickly, both day-to-day and during emergencies. Results of these pilot projects could inform broader efforts to strengthen trauma care readiness and coordination nationwide, and the ACS looks forward to continuing to work with ASPR on this effort.
ACS Committee on Trauma Champions Congressional Site Visits
The ACS Committee on Trauma (COT) is conducting the second annual Where Seconds Matter campaign, a national initiative to invite members of Congress to visit trauma centers in their home states. The campaign aims to educate policymakers on the critical role of trauma care, highlight system challenges, and advocate for policies that strengthen trauma systems, the trauma workforce, and emergency preparedness.
By bringing lawmakers inside trauma centers, ACS COT members can show how trauma teams work together and why sustained Congressional support for trauma systems is essential when every minute counts. COT members have hosted more than 15 visits with lawmakers and their staff since the launch of the initiative in 2025, including a recent visit by Representative Dave Min (D-CA) to the University of California Irvine Level I Trauma Center, hosted by ACS SurgeonsVoice Advocate of the Year Sigrid Burruss, MD, FACS.
Learn more about the Where Seconds Matter campaign.
Submit Trainee Advocacy Abstracts by November 23
Medical students, residents, and surgical trainees are invited to submit abstracts for the fifth annual ACS Advocacy and Health Policy Abstract Competition, which encourages early-career involvement in advocacy efforts affecting surgeons and surgical patients. The competition will take place during the 2027 ACS Leadership & Advocacy Summit, April 10–13 in Washington, DC.
Abstracts should describe an original advocacy activity, intervention, or policy engagement at the state or federal level, explaining surgeons’ involvement and the actual or anticipated impact on patients, surgical practice, or health policy. Submissions may address completed research or work in progress, must not exceed 500 words, and should not include previously published research. Priority will be given to authors nominated by ACS chapters.
Up to 10 abstracts will be selected for live presentations on April 11. Selected presenters will receive a $500 travel scholarship and are expected to attend both the Leadership and Advocacy Summits. Authors of accepted abstracts must be ACS medical student or resident members to participate. The top three abstracts will receive awards of $1,000, $500, and $250.
Submit abstracts to Ashley Claire at aclaire@facs.org by November 23. Review the competition requirements and submission details.
