The Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons (RAS-ACS) sponsors and has access to a variety of scholarships, competitions, awards, and project work that Residents and Associate Fellow members can take advantage of and volunteer for.
Awards
Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award
Has someone inspired you to become involved in the American College of Surgeons and been a surgical mentor to you? If so, and you are a Resident Member or Associate Fellow of the College, nominate your inspiring mentor for the inaugural RAS-ACS Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award.
The nomination period is now closed.
Scholarships and Fellowships
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) presents scholarships focused on Residents and Associate Fellows.
Resident Research Scholarships Available for 2020–2022
The College offers two-year resident research scholarships to our Resident Members in the U.S. and Canada. The scholarships provide $30,000 per year for each year. The closing date for receipt of completed applications and all supporting documents is September 16. Successful applications will begin their awards in July 2020.
Review the full requirements and online application information or contact the Scholarships Administrator at scholarships@facs.org.
Scholarships for Residents
Nizar N. Oweida, MD, FACS, Scholarship (Associate Fellows are eligible to apply)
George H. A. Clowes, Jr., MD, FACS, Memorial Research Career Development Award
Learn about the 2019 Leadership Scholarship Award Recipients
Competitions
RAS-ACS Communications Committee Essay Contest Winner
RAS-ACS Congratulates Resident Member Laura F. Goodman, MD, PGY-3, Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda, CA, for her winning essay, Cut it Out: Changing the Status Quo. Dr. Goodman will receive a $500 cash award presented during the RAS-ACS Business Meeting on October 29 at Clinical Congress 2019 in San Francisco, CA. Her winning essay will be published in the January issue of the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons. Sponsored by the RAS-ACS Communications Committee, the essay contest attracted eight essays this year, and were judged by four committee members who rated the essays against a five-point scale using the following criteria:
- Technical use of vocabulary and grammar
- Language and writing style
- Reflection of ACS principles
Congratulations, Dr. Goodman!
ACS Case Reviews in Surgery Chapter Competition for Residents
The ACS is pleased to announce a new initiative that chapters can implement for their Resident members. The recently launched ACS Case Reviews in Surgery (ACS Case Reviews) publishes case reports in various surgical specialties six times a year. Chapters hold “case study contests” for residents and Fellows (residents can submit to ACS Case Reviews if an ACS Fellow is included as one of the case report authors.) Chapters would judge submitted entries, and the winner of the competition receives guaranteed review of the publication in ACS Case Reviews and a free one-year subscription to the journal (annual subscriptions are $125 with CME Credit and $75 without CME Credit).
Questions about the ACS Case Reviews in Surgery Chapter Competition can be directed to Whitney Greer, Managing Editor, Selected Readings in General Surgery and ACS Case Reviews in Surgery, at wgreer@facs.org or 312-202-5698.
Project Work
The RAS-ACS sponsors a variety of committees that work on annual projects for the society during the year. As an ACS Resident Member or Associate Fellow, you are encouraged to get involved and join a RAS Committee.
Advocacy & Issues
This committee aims to promote grassroots legislative awareness and advocacy interest in ACS. Projects include:
- National drug shortages
- Surgical volunteerism (domestic and international)
- ACS Social Media Usage Guidelines
- Challenges encountered by junior surgeons in the military
- Institutional and residency GME funding inadequacies
Communications
This committee holds an annual Essay Contest, and disseminates information to RAS members regarding all aspects of a surgical career through:
- An e-newsletter
- Annual essay competition
- August Bulletin issue
- Podcast creation
- JACS social media journal club collaboration
- RAS promotional video
- Social media
Education
This committee investigates, discusses, and disseminates educational ideas and practices for all surgical disciplines related to training. Projects include:
- Top Gun skills competition
- Surgical Jeopardy for chapters
- Electronic Medical Record Survey
- Panel Sessions for Clinical Congress
- Handoff training resources
Membership
This committee works to increase members and member engagement in the College. Projects include:
- International Scholarship Exchange
- Member incentives, recruitment, and engagement
Monthly Conference Call Schedule
Each committee meets one Wednesday a month via conference call at 8:00 pm Central.
- 1st Wednesday: Advocacy & Issues
- 2nd Wednesday: Communications
- 3rd Wednesday: Membership
- 4th Wednesday: Education
Contact RASNews@facs.org and tell us which committee you would like to join and we will include you in the roster.