ACS Brief

Latest Stories

Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Delay Harmful “Efficiency Adjustment” for Surgeon Pay

February 17, 2026

The ACS has been leading the fight to stop the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from continuing to implement the flawed 2.5% cut to work Relative Value Units (RVUs) that went into effect on January 1, acting aggressively on behalf of our members—and Congress is listening.

Last Call: Access to Clinical Congress 2025 On-Demand Content Ends Next Week

The on-demand platform for Clinical Congress 2025 remains open to all in-person and virtual attendees, as well as new registrants—but the last day to access it, as well as the deadline to claim CME, is next Monday, February 23.

ACS Past-President and Trailblazer Dr. Julie Freischlag Describes Her Path to Becoming a Chair

February 17, 2026

Few have paved the way for future surgeons with more authority than Julie Ann Freischlag, MD, FACS.

Recently retired from her role as chief executive officer of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Chief Academic Officer at Advocate Health, and Executive Vice President of Health Affairs at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she is uniquely positioned to understand the challenges facing young surgeons today.

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

February 17, 2026 Issue

ACS Brief

Join Renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. L. Scott Levin for Fireside Chat

Join the ACS Academy Fireside Chat on February 18 featuring Dr. L. Scott Levin, sharing lessons from a distinguished surgical career.

ACS Brief

Residents: Apply to Be ACS Cancer Clinical Scholar in Residence

Apply by April 13 for the 2027–2029 ACS Cancer Clinical Scholar in Residence Program focused on surgical oncology and quality improvement.

ACS Brief

Deadline to Submit Abstracts for Surgical Palliative Care Symposium Is February 20

Researchers are invited to present at the Surgical Palliative Care Symposium—the abstract deadline is Friday, February 20.

ACS Brief

Robotics Integration Is Transforming Global Surgical Care

As robotic surgical systems evolve, this technology can strengthen capacity and reduce disparities to high-quality care.

ACS Brief

Expand Your Teaching and Admin Skills with Surgeons as Educators Course

Apply by March 20 for the Fall ACS Surgeons as Educators Course, August 29–September 4 in Atlanta.

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.

Targeted, Precision Therapies Are Transforming Cancer Treatment

The latest episode of The House of Surgery podcast featured renowned pancreatic cancer surgeon Dr. Selwyn Vickers as he delivers the Commission on Cancer Oncology Lecture during Clinical Congress 2025. In his lecture, Dr. Vickers discussed the exciting moment in cancer care, which is being transformed from imprecise and laden with side effects to one where targeted immunotherapies and precision surgery is making treatment more comfortable and effective.

Learn About Icons in Surgery Who Transformed the Field

The Icons in Surgery video series honor the lives and accomplishments of noteworthy Fellows and include inspiring mentoring, mold breaking leaders, clinical and research pioneers, and more. View the surgeons honored at Clinical Congress 2025, and then access the full Icons in Surgery video playlist to the many contributions of impactful surgeons.

Literature Selections

Lack of Access to Robotics Is Associated with Higher Open Surgery Rates

Study shows hospital-level robotic availability influences surgical approach, with limited access tied to higher open suregery rates.

Genetic and Lifestyle Risks Stratify Severe Diverticulitis

Polygenic and lifestyle risk scores together predict severe diverticulitis, highlighting opportunities for targeted prevention counseling.

Past Issues