Resident Membership Status

If you require additional information, or need an application, contact Irene Kulyk, Administrative Supervisor of Resident Member/Associate Fellow Sections, at 312-202-5268, e-mail: ikulyk@facs.org.

Introduction

The Resident Membership of the American College of Surgeons was established to extend the educational and professional advantages of the College to surgical residents and surgeons in research or surgical fellowship programs who meet the requirements for participation.

Requirements

The Resident Membership requirements for surgical residents in the United States, Canada, and all other countries are:

1. Graduation from a medical school acceptable to the American College of Surgeons.
2. Current status as one of the following:
   1. A resident enrolled in an accredited training program focused on one of the following surgical specialties: colon-rectal surgery, gynecologic oncology, neurological surgery, obstetrics-gynecology, ophthalmic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, otorhinolaryngology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, surgery, thoracic surgery, urology, or vascular surgery.
   2. A surgeon in a surgical research or surgical fellowship program acceptable to the American College of Surgeons.

The Board of Regents may modify any portion of the requirements for the Resident Membership at any time.

Benefits

Resident Membership prior to application for Associate Fellow status or Fellowship is beneficial because it provides the Member with:

1. An introduction to the standards of surgical practice and the ethical principles of surgical practice established and demanded by the American College of Surgeons.
2. Invitation to participate in the activities of local Chapters of the American College of Surgeons. Chapters may encourage Resident Members to affiliate with the Chapter.
3. An opportunity to receive the College Bulletin, Journal of the American College of Surgeons (official scientific journal of the American College of Surgeons), announcements, and all general publications of the College.
4. Access to the College's national programs:
   1. Attendance at the Clinical Congress without payment of the registration fee.
   2. Enrollment in the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP) at a reduced fee.
   3. Enrollment in the College's insurance program.  
5. Automatic membership in the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons (RAS-ACS).

Application

1. The director of an accredited surgical education program may provide the names of the current residents who are interested in Resident Membership. Descriptive information and application forms will be sent to each of the residents.
2. An individual surgical resident or the surgeon in a research or surgical fellowship program may request an application form or obtain it from the College's Web site.

The prospective Resident Member is required to submit with the completed application (PDF 30K) a letter from the director of the surgical education program verifying the surgeon's current status. When your application is approved, we will send you an identification card indicating your affiliation with the American College of Surgeons.

Continuation

Continuation as a Resident Member is renewable on a year-to-year basis.

1. Each year, Resident Members are sent report forms on which to record their appointments for the next year, representing their progress in graduate education.
2. Resident Members are expected to attend at least one College meeting every two years (a College Chapter meeting, or the Clinical Congress).
3. If, after review and evaluation, the annual report is approved by the Division of Member Services, continued participation in the Resident Membership is granted.
4. In the first week of July, each Resident Member who is granted continued participation is sent a new Resident Member identification card for the ensuing year beginning July 1.

Resident Members who have satisfactorily completed an accredited surgical education program and who are entering an additional residency, surgical research, or surgical fellowship program will be offered the opportunity: (a) to apply for Associate Fellow status in the College or (b) to continue as Resident Members.

Termination

Participation as a Resident Member will be terminated if the Member:

1. Discontinues a surgical residency.
2. Enters surgical practice.
3. Enrolls in a non-accredited surgical education program.
4. Fails to conform to the ethical principles and standards of practice demanded by the College, as determined by the Member Services Liaison Committee.
5. Fails to submit the annual report and annual dues.

The resident whose participation as a Resident Member has been terminated may submit a request for reinstatement, to the Division of Member Services of the College for review and evaluation.

Status of the Resident Member

Resident Membership is a section of the Division of Member Services. For the participating surgical residents, it can possibly serve as the initial stage in the progression toward Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons. Participation as a Resident Member, however, does not automatically lead to Associate Fellow status or Fellowship.

Associate Fellow status is available to surgeons who have successfully completed an accredited surgical residency. This status is attained through submission of an application and favorable action on the application.

Fellowship status is granted only to those surgeons who have formally applied for Fellowship, have fulfilled specified requirements, and have been duly admitted into Fellowship at a Clinical Congress of the College.

Use of the designation "F.A.C.S.," "Candidate for Fellowship," or "Candidate, American College of Surgeons" by a Resident Member is expressly forbidden. (This restriction applies, for example, to announcements, stationery, directories, scientific programs, or hospital applications.)

The proper term, "Resident Member, American College of Surgeons," may be used to indicate a relationship with the College. It is not intended to be used as a credential.

Fees

The $20 application fee must accompany the application. The application fee is waived for first-year surgical residents. The $20 annual dues are to be submitted with the annual report form.

The Board of Regents determines the annual dues amount. The annual dues provide a number of benefits such as a waived registration fee at the College's Clinical Congress, the purchase of the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP) at a reduced rate, eligibility to participate in the College-sponsored insurance programs, and receiving the Bulletin and Journal of the American College of Surgeons along with general publications and special announcements of the College.

Surgeons take this pledge prior to their entry into full Fellowship:

Fellowship Pledge

Recognizing that the American College of Surgeons seeks to exemplify and develop the highest traditions of our ancient profession, I hereby pledge myself, as a condition of Fellowship in the College, to live in strict accordance with the College's principles and regulations.

I pledge to pursue the practice of surgery with honesty and to place the welfare and the rights of my patient above all else. I promise to deal with each patient as I would wish to be dealt with if I was in the patient's position and I will respect the patient's autonomy and individuality.

I further pledge to affirm and support the social contract of the surgical profession with my community and society.

I will take no part in any arrangement or improper financial dealings that induce referral, treatment, or withholding of treatment for reason other than the patient's welfare.

Upon my honor, I declare that I will advance my knowledge and skills, will respect my colleagues, and will seek their counsel when in doubt about my own abilities. In turn, I will willingly help my colleagues when requested.

I recognize the interdependency of all healthcare professionals and will treat each with respect and consideration.

Finally, by my Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons, I solemnly pledge to abide by the Code of Professional Conduct and to cooperate in advancing the art and science of surgery.

Revised March 13, 2008

Member Services