RCOT Field Program

The RCOT Field Program is a pivotal initiative by the ACS Committee on Trauma (COT) to drive real change at the regional and state levels by empowering the Regional Committees on Trauma (RCOT). As the grassroots force of the COT, the program reengages state chairs, vice chairs, and regional leaders, equipping them with the tools and support to lead trauma care efforts where they’re needed most: locally. From education and advocacy to system-level improvements, RCOT members lead with local insight and hands-on action, ensuring care reflects the realities of the communities they serve. This program isn’t just about structure; it’s about momentum, collaboration, and turning national goals into measurable impact across the country.

This work carries forward the vision of Dr. Charles Scudder, a founding member of the ACS and the first chair of its Committee on Treatment of Fractures (1922–1933), which laid the foundation for today’s COT. Scudder championed regional collaboration long before trauma systems were formally defined, believing that care should be both standardized and flexible enough to reflect local realities. His forward-thinking vision shaped a model where trauma care could be both unified and flexible, organized nationally, but delivered with local expertise and impact. The RCOT Field Program brings that vision into the 21st century, mobilizing local leadership, fostering innovation, and advancing trauma care from the ground up, just as Scudder envisioned.