Surgical innovation and quality improvement are increasingly global endeavors. From enhanced perioperative protocols to equitable access for cancer surgery, today’s most pressing challenges mandate not only technical expertise but international collaboration. The International Society of Surgery (ISS) embodies this spirit of shared learning, and the US Chapter, aligned with the ACS, provides opportunities to enhance global efforts.
Founded in 1902, the ISS includes surgeons and anesthetists from more than 100 countries and numerous integrated partner societies. Its mission, “Advancing surgical education and practice globally, fostering collaboration among medical professionals to enhance patient care,” mirrors the ACS commitment to surgical excellence, leadership, and continuous quality improvement.
This article reviews recent and upcoming actions from the ISS that support international surgical growth.
International Surgical Week 2024: Highlights in Global Innovation
The 50th World Congress of Surgery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was hosted by the College of Surgeons of the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia and the ISS Council in August 2024. The meeting drew participants from 71 countries, including 317 invited speakers representing 50 nations. Sessions spanned innovations in trauma, endocrine, breast, and minimally invasive surgery, and included targeted discussions on quality assurance in diverse healthcare environments.
US Chapter members were active participants, and the ACS keynote lecture was presented by Raymond Price, MD, FACS, Chair of the ACS H.O.P.E. Committee on Global Engagement Advocacy Subcommittee. The call to action in his lecture, “Are You Ready to Change the World? Ensuring Access to Quality Surgical Care for All,” was enthusiastically received.
One of the notable features of the meeting was the eager engagement of the International Association of Student Surgical Societies, bringing together medical students, residents, and fellows eager to shape the future of global surgery. Their presence reaffirmed a core principle shared by ISS and ACS: nurturing and developing surgical leaders equipped for excellence and compassion in a global setting.
ACS Clinical Congress 2025: Strengthening the ISS–ACS Synergy
US Chapter of ISS will be actively involved in Clinical Congress 2025, October 4–7 in Chicago, Illinois.
On Tuesday, October 7, Kerstin Sandelin, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCS, will deliver the ISS Distinguished Lecture: “Global Quality Improvements for Breast Cancer Patients.” Dr. Sandelin, Senior Consultant in Breast Surgery at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, is a leader in cancer registry implementation and a past president of Breast Surgery International, one of ISS’s integrated societies. Her talk will offer practical strategies to standardize cancer care worldwide, demonstrating how global models of multidisciplinary teamwork and data-driven evaluation can improve outcomes, reduce variation, and align with ACS’s mission of delivering optimal care to every patient, everywhere.
The US Chapter of ISS will also meet during Clinical Congress, and all ACS members are encouraged to attend. Whether you’re new to international work or seeking deeper engagement, the Chapter provides an inclusive, high-impact community focused on advancing surgical excellence globally.
International Surgical Week 2026: Join Us in Mexico City
Looking ahead, International Surgical Week 2026 will take place April 19–23, 2026, in Mexico City, Mexico. The congress will feature cutting-edge sessions hosted by ISS partner societies in trauma, digestive surgery, endocrine surgery, and more, along with plenaries addressing systems-based challenges like workforce development and surgical equity. There also will be ample opportunities for professional networking.
Advancing Surgical Quality Together
The ACS and ISS are united by a shared belief: that collaboration improves care. Whether through refining surgical registries, co-developing training programs, or exchanging research on enhanced recovery protocols, the synergy between these organizations translates directly into safer, more effective care for patients worldwide.
The US Chapter of the ISS serves as a vital extension of the ACS community, offering members opportunities to lead, learn, and build connections that extend across borders but that are deeply rooted in our common commitment to healing with skill and compassion. We invite all ACS Fellows to engage with the ISS and join us in shaping a future where every patient, no matter where they live, has access to high-quality surgical care.
