Excelsior Surgical Society Celebrates 80 Years of Legacy in Rome

In a powerful show of history, innovation, and international collaboration, nearly 100 military and civilian surgical leaders from around the world recently convened in Rome for the 80/10 commemorative Excelsior Surgical Society (ESS) Anniversary Meeting.

The event honored 80 years since the original Excelsior Surgical Club was founded by military surgeons in the final months of World War II, while also celebrating 10 years since the Society was reestablished. The meeting also recognized the history, legacy, and ethos of military surgery and looked to the future as the US Department of Defense prepares for the potential of large-scale combat operations (LSCOs).

Held at the iconic Excelsior Hotel—the same venue where allied military surgeons first gathered in February 1945—the 3-day event paid tribute to the enduring legacy of military medicine and its ongoing improvement of combat casualty care.

“This was a truly historic event that celebrated the past, focused on lessons learned, and examined how we get better for future combat casualty care. Everyone was engaged during the meeting; it was collaborative, reflective, and inspirational to see the dedication to continuing the improvement of battlefield care for all servicemembers,” said US Army Colonel Jennifer M. Gurney, MD, FACS, Immediate Past-President of ESS. “I hope that when people reflect on this meeting, it is a source of strength and resilience for them and a reminder of how important our mission is. Personally, I was humbled and inspired by everyone. It was a wonderful event for which I will forever be grateful to have been a part of.”

Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

The original Excelsior Surgical Club was born from the shared experiences of surgeons from the US and allied countries who were deployed in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and came together to reflect on battlefield surgical cases and advance best practices in trauma care. What began as a wartime necessity soon became a lifelong commitment to medical collaboration, with bonds that lasted until the final founding member passed away in 2008.

Although the original ESS disbanded, its impact endured—eventually leading to the start of its formal resurrection in 2014 through a strategic partnership between the US Department of Defense Military Health System and the ACS, known as the Military Health System Strategic Partnership ACS. This helped breathe new life into the Society’s mission and values, and in 2015, the first meeting of the new ESS was held in Chicago, Illinois. The ESS also serves as the ACS Military Chapter.

“The return to the Excelsior Hotel honored ESS’s legacy and commitment to improving best surgical practices for combat care, ensuring a lasting connection between generations of military surgeons through mentorship, and strengthening the bond between military and civilian medicine,” said Michael J. Sutherland, MD, MBA, FACS, Senior Vice President of ACS Member Services and a retired US Air Force major.

Global Platform for Education and Interoperability

This commemorative meeting featured a comprehensive educational agenda, thoughtfully divided into sessions that addressed historical perspectives, international interoperability, battlefield care, and forward-looking strategies in combat casualty care.

The opening session, “Those Who Do Not Understand History Are Doomed to Repeat It,” focused on the importance of understanding history to avoid repeating past mistakes, emphasizing “lessons learned, lessons earned, and lessons forgotten.” This was paired with a discussion on the evolution of battlefield medicine, recognizing the milestones and revolutions that have shaped surgical care in combat environments.

Subsequent sessions on Day 1 offered international perspectives and explored how the global surgical community can best prepare for emerging challenges. In addition, topics included the integration of trauma care across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, and how wartime trauma lessons can be applied to managing civilian injuries and mass casualty events.

A significant portion of the Day 2 program centered on prehospital care, reinforcing the critical principle that “trauma patients must arrive alive” for surgeons to make a difference. Experts emphasized that the greatest opportunity for improving outcomes lies in prehospital intervention, where collaboration between emergency responders, surgeons, and line leadership is vital for success.

A senior leader panel discussed improving communication and fostering a high operational IQ among physicians—key elements in delivering better care on and off the battlefield.

In addition to educational sessions, participants took part in a historical tour, including a visit to the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, a World War II memorial and cemetery that honors more than 7,800 American servicemembers.

Discussions on Day 3 addressed the importance of bridging gaps between military and civilian surgical communities, sharing perspectives to mitigate what is often referred to as the “Walker Dip”—a period of decreased trauma readiness during peacetime.

A forward-focused session explored strategies for building a globally integrated trauma system capable of responding to the demands of LSCOs and future crises.

The final presentations emphasized leadership development and highlighted the ACS’s continued dedication to military surgery. Senior leaders shared top leadership pearls for navigating complex environments and ensuring surgical teams thrive in high-stakes settings, while also stressing the importance of interoperability.

The meeting concluded with a session titled “The Way Ahead,” which underscored the commitment to preserving and advancing the next 80 years of military surgery, with a continued focus on excellence in combat casualty care.

“While this meeting took more than a year to plan and was a tour de force to put together, it was worth it,” said Dr. Gurney. “I think everyone left more committed to our mission. For some of the retired surgeons who have greatly impacted combat casualty care, it was a bit of a reunion. It’s inspirational to see their continued commitment.”

Continuing the Legacy of Military Surgery

The 80/10 ESS Meeting served not only as a commemoration of a remarkable past but as a vital catalyst for the next era of surgical excellence in combat casualty care.

“To be in attendance and part of these meaningful discussions was important for me as a trauma surgeon, a Fellow of the ACS, and as a veteran. I look forward to our continued work and commitment to improving the care both in combat and civilian trauma centers,” said Dr. Sutherland.

With a renewed sense of purpose and global unity, the ESS is planning to return to Rome in 2035 for the 90/20 ESS Anniversary Meeting.

Jennifer Bagley is Editor-in-Chief of the Bulletin and Senior Manager in the ACS Division of Integrated Communications in Chicago, IL.