The Academy is honored to present the American College of Surgeons (ACS) with the 2020 Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes individuals or organizations for their ongoing notable service to ophthalmology and the Academy.
Formed in 1913, the ACS is a scientific and educational association of surgeons dedicated to improving the care of surgical patients and safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment. The ACS currently has more than 82,000 members, including over 2,100 ophthalmic surgeons, making it the largest organization of surgeons in the world.
The ACS sponsors a variety of programs such as continuing medical education through Clinical Congress, standards of cancer care and program accreditation through the Commission on Cancer and improved care of injured and critical patients before and during hospitalization through its Committee on Trauma. The ACS monitors and analyzes socioeconomic, legislative and regulatory issues affecting the field of surgery through its Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, and provides general information to the public about surgeons and surgical care through its Office of Public Information.
In addition, the ACS leads a Surgical Care Coalition in Washington, D.C., to advocate for policies for surgeons and their patients. The Academy is an active member of the coalition. The Academy also collaborates with the ACS Advisory Council for Ophthalmic Surgery, which serves as a liaison for communication between ophthalmology surgery societies and the ACS Board of Regents.
The Academy congratulates ACS and its leaders on more than a century of success and distinguished service in the surgical world, including ophthalmic surgery.