CHICAGO — The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Foundation announced Lorrie Langdale, MD, FACS, as the recipient of its prestigious Distinguished Philanthropist Award which was presented during the ACS Clinical Congress 2025 in Chicago. The award recognizes Dr. Langdale’s profound and multifaceted contributions to the ACS, which include both transformative philanthropy and a deep, sustained commitment of her time and expertise.
The Distinguished Philanthropist Award, established in 1989, celebrates outstanding individuals who have significantly supported the ACS Foundation's mission to advance surgical practices, research, and patient care.
“Dr. Langdale’s generosity is a powerful force for progress in surgery, but it is her unique combination of philanthropic support and hands-on leadership that truly sets her apart,” said H. Randolph Bailey, MD, FACS, Chair of the ACS Foundation. “Her dedication to advancing trauma care and surgical education, backed by her own clinical experience, has left an indelible mark on the ACS and the patients we all serve.”
Dr. Langdale is a professor of surgery in the University of Washington Department of Surgery and the chief of general surgery and the director of surgical critical care at the Puget Sound VA Medical Center in Seattle. Her service to the ACS spans decades, including more than 30 years on the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP) Committee, where she served as Program Director for both the 18th Advanced and the newly released 19th editions. Her leadership roles also include a six-year term on the Board of Governors, membership in the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, and presidency of the Washington State ACS Chapter. She also represented surgery during a six-year term on the ACGME.
Dr. Langdale’s philanthropy reflects her clinical passion for general surgery, trauma, and critical care. Her contributions have been instrumental in supporting vital ACS programs, including ACS Stop the Bleed, which educates the public to respond to bleeding emergencies; the Future Trauma Leaders program, which cultivates leadership skills in early-career trauma surgeons; and the Injury Prevention Fund, which supports research to reduce firearm violence.
As a double-board-certified general and critical care surgeon who focuses her practice on the care and support of Veterans, Dr. Langdale’s giving is informed by firsthand experience. Her commitment is exemplified in her care for patients, such as helping a paraplegic service member return to an active life after complex injuries, managing aging Veterans with malignancies, or supporting critically ill patients after heart surgery — a testament to the dedication that underpins her philanthropic vision.
