Spring is emerging around us, and with it comes new beginnings in surgery. This March 15, many medical students opening Match Day letters will find themselves invited into the surgical profession.
The ACS is ready to welcome them. As an organization, we work to improve patient outcomes by helping surgeons attain excellence, and a part of that mission is fulfilled when we bring new surgical trainees into the fold. As a result, we have established resources and support that extend across a surgical career. These include scholarships, fellowships, and other grants designated for surgeons in training and throughout their working lives.
The ACS gave its first scholarship in 1969, when cultural change was driving increased attention to the needs of medical students, surgical residents, and young practicing surgeons, as well as a stronger emphasis on surgical research. Cardiothoracic surgeon Gary H. Stevens, MD, FACS, received the first award, likely for research. The same interests underpin many of the scholarships we offer today.
Research Support for Surgical Residents
Surgical residents have a unique opportunity at the ACS. Each year, our Clinical Scholars in Residence program invites a cohort of surgical residents to begin a 2-year fellowship researching surgical outcomes, quality improvement, healthcare policy, and related topics, with a focus in cancer, trauma, and general surgery. The program offers a masters degree from Northwestern University and mentorship from ACS-affiliated surgeons, and it has created many enduring collegial partnerships. Read more in the September 2023 issue of the ACS Bulletin.
An additional Resident Research Scholarship funds 2 years of independent research. This award aims to help a surgical resident pursue an academic surgery career anywhere on the research continuum.
Support for Travel
Surgeons early in their practice years can apply for scholarships aimed at ensuring their growth. Young surgeons with Fellow or Associate Fellow status can apply for the Gerald B. Healy, MD, FACS, Traveling Mentorship Fellowship, the Nizar N. Oweida, MD, FACS, Scholarship, or the Claude H. Organ Jr., MD, FACS Traveling Fellowship. These support surgeon travel to connect with a mentor, visit an institution to advance their research interests, or attend an educational meeting.
Additional travel fellowships help US surgeons travel to and from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Japan to participate in surgical conferences and visit medical centers to exchange insights with local surgeons.
Finally, this year, we have established a new John M. Daly, MD, FACS, Traveling Fellowship, a semiannual award that helps a young Fellow with a keen interest in cancer care attend Clinical Congress. Interested surgeons should apply soon to the inaugural application round. The deadline is April 5.
International Scholarships
While some travel awards permit surgeons in the US and Canada to travel abroad, others allow surgeons outside the US and Canada to visit the US. These awards fund travel to the ACS Quality and Safety Conference for those wishing to know more about the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, to the headquarters of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers in Chicago, Illinois, for surgeons involved with breast cancer surgery, and to Clinical Congress for surgeons interested in surgical education (including awards named for Sir Murray F. Brennan, MD, FACS, and Abdol H. Islami, MD, PhD, FACS). The Duremdes Family Travel Award (from Generoso Duremdes, MD, FACS, wife Janelle Duremdes, MD, son Gene Duremdes, MD, FACS, and daughter-in-law Mary Duremdes, RN) has been established for Filipino surgeons in community practice as well.
Health Policy Scholarships
For surgeons in practice, the ACS also assists with steps into leadership. One such opportunity is via our Health Policy Scholarships, which support participation in the Executive Leadership Program in Health Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Through ACS’s partnerships with 16 surgical specialty organizations, these awards are designated for surgeons in 12 specialties. The weeklong intensive program, to be this year June 3–8, will equip participating surgeons with the ability to improve healthcare policy and surgical care. If you are interested, please apply soon. The deadline is March 15.
