Beth H. Sutton, MD, FACS, was installed during Convocation as the 2024–2025 ACS President, succeeding Henri R. Ford, MD, MHA, FACS. For her presidential year, Dr. Sutton has chosen the theme of “Excelling Together,” highlighting the special ability of the ACS to unite surgeons across disciplines, practice types, and career stages.
“I would like to encourage our Fellows and surgeons in all surgical disciplines to maintain the personal connection between one surgeon and one patient,” she said. “Surgical skills and education are commonly available through programs of the College, but the technical skills are only part of the process. We need professional skills and the ability to relate to patients and communicate with them in a way that lets them know we care so that they feel free to trust us.”
Dr. Sutton is a general surgeon with a longstanding private practice in Wichita Falls, Texas.
A Fellow of the College since 1984, Dr. Sutton has served in many ACS leadership roles. She is a past president of the North Texas ACS Chapter, a past Governor-at-Large representing North Texas (2004-2010), and a past member of the Board of Governors Executive Committee (2008-2010). Her ACS leadership also includes nearly a decade on the Board of Regents (2012-2021), including a year as Chair (2019–2020).
She is also a past member of the ACS Advisory Council for General Surgery and many ACS committees, including the Committee on Optimal Access/Healthcare Disparities, Committee on Professional Opportunities for Senior Members, Committee on Transition to Practice (Mastery in General Surgery), and Committee on Preceptorship for Practicing Surgeons. She also has been a member of the ACS Women in Surgery Committee. She has served as a faculty member of the Surgeons as Leaders Course since 2013.