ACS Resident and Associate Society: Diversity, equity, and inclusion in surgical patient care

Each year, the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons (RAS-ACS) selects a theme for an upcoming issue of the Bulletin. The theme for 2020 was Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Included in this issue are articles by members of each of the five standing committees of RAS-ACS. Specific topics addressed herein are as follows:

• How the composition of the surgical workforce affects patient care
• The literature on diversity and inclusion in surgery as it relates to trainees and leadership and recommendations and strategies to promote a more inclusive and diverse surgical workforce
• Disparities facing underrepresented minorities in surgery and solutions to increase diversity within surgical societies
• Disparities in surgical education and training
• How surgical societies, including the ACS, can improve on efforts to be more inclusive and promote diversity in the workforce and better respond to patient needs