Scudder Oration on Trauma

Honoring Charles Locke Scudder, MD, a founding member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and a major contributor to the surgery of trauma, the annual Scudder Oration is one of only a handful of named lectures given annually at the ACS Clinical Congress.

The Scudder Orator—who is chosen from a select few nominated for the award—delivers the address and is invited to publish the accompanying manuscript in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. More recently, the Orator has the option to have his or her talk archived in the video library of the College. These important addresses have traditionally not only reviewed prior accomplishments, but also laid out a roadmap for future generations to follow in their own efforts to further improve trauma care and minimize the impacts of death and disability after injury. Access past orations.

Nominees for this honor are put forth by their peers on the ACS Committee on Trauma (COT) and represent a true who’s who of the trauma world. Nominees have demonstrated a sustained commitment to injury prevention and care in an effort to minimize the physical, psychologic, and economic impact of trauma around the globe.

The ACS COT is responsible for seeking nominations for the Scudder Oration. Please follow the instructions below to nominate future Scudder Orators.

Who Can Be Nominated

Any individual who has made significant or sustained contributions to the care of the injured patient may be nominated. The contribution may be manifest by accomplishments in (but not limited to):

• Injury prevention
• Injury care
• Trauma system development
• Trauma education
• Basic or Translational Science focused on injury

This person does not have to be a surgeon or a member of the American College of Surgeons. For example, a global injury prevention expert or a basic/translational scientist who has made seminal contributions to trauma care may be appropriate for consideration for the Scudder Oration.

Who Can Nominate

All members of the National COT, Regional COT, past COT Chairs, and Scudder Orators as well as all Mentoring for Excellence in Trauma Surgery (METS) participants can nominate an individual for the Scudder Oration.

When to Nominate

Nominations for the Scudder Oration will be accepted year-round. The nomination process will close annually on August 1 for the Scudder Oration that will be presented at the Clinical Congress in the following year. Nominees will be considered for up to a total of three Scudder Oration cycles.

How to Nominate

If you know someone who should be considered as a Scudder Orator, please complete and submit the nomination form and upload a full nomination letter detailing the nominee’s background, achievements, and significant or sustained contributions to the care of the injured patient. Nomination letters play a key role in the selection process of the Scudder Orator, and the COT will not conduct additional research to determine the nominee’s eligibility for this prestigious award. A lack of detailed information will impede the selection process.