ACS Brief

Latest Stories

Surgeon Experts Highlight a Core Problem of Medicare Payment Reform in Health Affairs

May 12, 2026

The ACS has long advocated for reform of the flawed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), particularly in response to the agency’s recent efforts to increase primary care reimbursement at the expense of specialists, including surgeons.

Join the Future of Surgery at Clinical Congress 2026 in Washington, DC

May 12, 2026

Clinical Congress 2026, September 26–29 in Washington, DC, is the premier ACS educational meeting for surgeons looking to enhance their skills, expand professional connections, and stay ahead in an evolving field. All surgeons, members of surgical care teams, and affiliated healthcare personnel are invited to join the brightest minds in surgery for an unparalleled educational and networking experience.

Apply to Become a Commission on Cancer Site Reviewer

May 12, 2026

CoC Site Reviewers conduct site visits in hospitals across the country, assessing compliance with the accreditation standards that promote quality patient care. They enjoy the gratifying opportunity to shape the future of cancer care by collaborating with cancer programs in areas such as research, data surveillance and systems, quality improvement, and education.

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

May 12, 2026 Issue

ACS Brief

Fluorescence-Guided Surgery Is Beginning to Extend Beyond Oncology

Describes emerging fluorophores that target tumors to improve margin detection and identify occult disease during minimally invasive procedures.

ACS Brief

Residents: Apply to Become a 2027–2029 Continuous Quality Improvement Clinical Scholar

The ACS Clinical Scholar program offers mentorship, research training, and a master’s degree for surgeons pursuing academic careers.

ACS Brief

Medical Student Abstracts for Clinical Congress Quick-Shot Presentations Due June 26

Submit your abstract for the ACS Medical Student Program and showcase your work at Clinical Congress 2026.

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.

ACS Cancer Leader Discusses Findings from Recent NCDB Annual Report

In the latest episode of Surgical Readings, host Dr. Rick Greene talks with Dr. Ronald J. Weigel, Medical Director of ACS Cancer Programs, about the January 2026 report from the ACS National Cancer Database^® (NCDB^®), which notes key trends in cancer treatment, as well as in-depth reports on outcomes for prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, and melanoma. Dr. Weigel also describes the history of the NCDB and future plans that will lead to more rapid and robust insights into cancer occurrence and treatment.

Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging Is Transforming Care at Bedside and Beyond

What if the most important diagnostic tool in your kit isn’t the stethoscope anymore? Listen to Dr. Scott Dulchavsky, an ACS Fellow and principal investigator for NASA and the International Space Station, discuss the rapid shift toward point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)—and why the next generation of surgeons is already ahead of the curve. Hear how a mindset shift, not mastery, is the real barrier—and why it only takes hours, not years, to become proficient in POCUS. Read more in the May Bulletin cover article.

Literature Selections

Increasing Step Count After Surgery Confers Significant Recovery Benefit

Step data from wearable devices may serve as a simple, objective marker of postoperative recovery and complications risk.

NAPRC Accreditation Is Associated with Increased Rectal Cancer Treatment, Especially in Early Stages

New data suggest NAPRC accreditation may drive institutional growth and support high-quality rectal cancer care delivery.

Past Issues