Just the FACS Ma’am

Ever wonder why some doctors have FACS after their name? It means they are members of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). FACS stands for: Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. To be a member, a surgeon’s education, training, professional qualifications, surgical competence and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College.

The American College of Surgeons

Established in Chicago, in 1913, the society has 73,000 American Surgeons and more than 4,000 surgeons from other countries. The college’s main activities include the:

Annual Clinical Congress and other sponsored continuing medical activities
Commission on Cancer to improve the care of cancer patients
Committee on Trauma to improve the management and prevention of injuries
Division of Advocacy and Health Policy monitors legislative and regulatory issues affecting the field of surgery
Sponsoring of the Residency Review Committee for Surgery and the Surgical Specialties including Plastic Surgery
Office of Public Information provides general information about surgeons and surgical care
Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP) a resource for surgeons lifelong learning, and to prepare for Board Certification
Selected Publications:
- ACS NewsScope
- The Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons
- Journal of the American College of Surgeons
- Surgery News (Ceased publication in 2018)
- ACS Case Reviews in Surgery
- Selected Readings in General Surgery

So if you are a patient, the letters FACS after a surgeons name mean the American College of Surgeons has independently evaluated and accepted their qualifications.

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