Medical Students

Mission

The mission of the ACS Medical Student Society (MSS) is to champion and empower the next generation of surgeons by creating transformative opportunities for engagement, leadership, and mentorship—equipping students with the skills and experiences necessary to excel in surgical residency and to lead with purpose and excellence throughout their careers.

Our Vision

To cultivate a dynamic community of future surgeons who are empowered, connected, and equipped with the mentorship, leadership skills, and professional experiences needed to excel in residency and advance the standards of surgical care worldwide.

Benefits

Membership benefits include:

• Complimentary four-year membership
• Leadership opportunities 
• Networking opportunities 
• Mentorship  
• Medical Student Travel Award (Clinical Congress)      
• Clinical Congress programming 
• Educational resources 
• Professional development 
• Surgery Interest Group (SIG) participation

Meetings & Events

Workgroup Meetings

The MSS has three workgroups, each with a specific mission aligned with and designed to support the organization's broader goals. Each workgroup meets virtually bimonthly to discuss initiatives, share ideas, and advance the Society's work. All medical student members are encouraged to participate, share their perspectives, and help shape the future of the Medical Student Society.

Sign up for a workgroup to access upcoming meetings, add them directly to your calendar, and set up personalized email and text reminders.

•    Communication Workgroup
•    Education Workgroup
•    Membership Workgroup

Events

• Medical Student Hangouts
• Leadership opportunities

Podcasts 

• Medical Student Society Webinars - On-demand recordings 

Questions? Please contact Anita Johnson at anita.johnson@facs.org

Resources

Educational Resources

Explore educational and professional development resources designed to support medical students throughout their journey, including learning modules, career development resources, and surgical specialty resources.

View resources for the following:

• Learning Modules
• Career Development Resources
• Surgical Specialty Resources

Medical Student Toolkit

• Residency preparation
• Professional development 
• Leadership resources 
• Career planning 
• Student resource guides

Surgery Interest Group (SIG) Directory 

• SIG Resources

Medical Minutiae

New Content will be added by Spring 2027.

Leadership

The Medical Student Society is comprised of chair, vice-chair, chair-elect, and vice-chair-elect. and the chairs of the three workgroups: Communication, Education, and Membership. Each standing committee is led by a chair. Meet the current Medical Student Society Leadership.

Membership

Membership in the Medical Student Society of the American College of Surgeons is automatic when you become a Medical Student Member. Medical Student Membership in the ACS is open to all medical students enrolled in an accredited medical school, and the application fee is $20. Your ACS Medical Student membership is valid for the 4 years that you are enrolled in medical school. After graduation, you MUST apply to become a Resident Member. There is no cost to transition membership categories.