👏 Congratulations to Benjamin Lam, D.O., DFACOS, FACOS, FACS, on his induction as President of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons! For more than 25 years, Dr. Lam has combined clinical practice with a deep commitment to surgical education, mentorship, and organized medicine. His extensive service to ACOS and his contributions to osteopathic surgical education have helped strengthen the profession and support future generations of surgeons. As he begins his term as President, Dr. Lam shared a simple message that reflects his approach to leadership and service: “Don’t Just Do Well. Do Good ... As Well.” We look forward to his leadership and vision as he guides the College into its next chapter and continues his commitment to excellence, service, and the advancement of osteopathic surgery. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lam on this important new role! #ACOSACA2026 #LightingTheFire

🔥 Welcome to ACA 2026! 🔥 We’re excited to welcome osteopathic surgeons to New Orleans for the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons’ Annual Clinical Assembly! This year’s theme, “Lighting the Fire: Passing the Torch to the Next Generation of Osteopathic Surgeons,” celebrates the knowledge, mentorship, leadership, and passion that connect generations of osteopathic surgeons and help shape the future of our profession. Get ready for an exciting meeting filled with education, collaboration, networking, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the osteopathic surgical community. Learn more and explore the full meeting details at facos.org/aca. 📸 Share your ACA 2026 experience on social media using #ACOSACA2026 and #LightingTheFire for a chance to win a plush blanket! We can’t wait to see you in New Orleans!

Surgical training can teach you how to care for your patients, but some of the most important lessons are about caring for yourself. ACOS member Rebecca Douglass, D.O., reflects on the importance of emotional resilience and knowing when to ask for help. What is one thing I wish u knew earlier in your surgical training? "Emotional resilience and knowing when to ask for help is vital for a long and successful career as surgeon that I wish I realized earlier on. As surgeons, we see and do very difficult things on a daily basis. We are taught to be self sufficient and to sometimes ignore our own feelings to get through a hard day. It is vital that we learn early on how to process the emotional toll our jobs take on us and that it is ok to ask for help from your surgical colleagues, family, and friends." Knowing when to lean on others is an important part of building a long and sustainable career in surgery. What’s one lesson you wish you had learned earlier in your training?

Meet ACOS member Nicole Duskey, DO! 🩺 Dr. Duskey successfully matched into general surgery and shared her top advice for navigating the ERAS application as residency season approaches. Check out her tips below: ✔️ Use a blank document or piece of paper to brainstorm all of the things you’ve done and organize them ✔️ Use bullet points or concise sentences when describing your experiences, no long paragraphs ✔️ Do thorough research into the programs you’re applying to and whether they align with your scores and amount of research so you aren’t spending money on programs you aren’t a strong candidate for ✔️ Use signals strategically Best of luck to everyone preparing their residency applications! What advice would you add for this year's applicants?

🤖 Explore AI in Surgery at ACA 2026! The ACOS - AI General Surgery Committee invites you to join our interactive deep dive into artificial intelligence in clinical practice. We want to move beyond the buzzwords and explore how AI is truly shaping modern surgery, hospital systems, and daily practice workflows. What We'll Cover: • Interactive AI Course & Practical Applications • Integrating AI Into a Clinical Surgical Practice • How Hospitals and Healthcare Systems Use AI 📅 Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026 ⏰ Time: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM 📍 Location: ACA 2026, New Orleans We want to hear from you! What are you most curious about? Drop your questions, topics of interest, or insights from your own experience in the comments below so we can tailor the discussion. See you in New Orleans!

It is here! The new ACOS website and upgraded member portal are officially live. Log in today at facos.org to explore a cleaner design, simplified navigation, and an improved experience on all your devices. This is just the beginning of what we have planned for you. Welcome to the new ACOS.

Last week's AOA House of Delegates (HOD) was a powerful display of unity and leadership for the osteopathic surgical community. We are proud of the connections made and the advocacy work accomplished. Strong Representation: It was fantastic to see our ACOS members united at the AOAHOD, ensuring a clear, strong voice for surgery. Building Partnerships: ACOS President Nelayda Fonte, D.O., DFACOS, FICS enjoyed productive meetings with ACOOG and Florida Delegate leadership, as well as incoming AOA President Dr. Thacker. Inspiring Future Surgeons: We were especially encouraged by the engagement of our students at HOD, who are already hard at work paving the road for the future of our profession. We appreciate the energy and dedication our members brought to the floor to champion our collective priorities. #AOAHOD

What inspires you to keep showing up every day? For ACOS Governor Olutayo Sogunro, D.O., FACOS, the answer is simple: making a difference in patients' lives when they need it most—and helping train the next generation of surgeons to do the same. In this video, Dr. Sogunro reflects on the privilege of caring for patients during some of the most challenging moments of their lives and why surgical education and mentorship are essential to the future of our profession. ▶️ Watch her message and share what inspires you in your career.

Students & Residents: Don’t Miss These ACOS Opportunities! 🔬 Quick Shot & Podium Presentations at ACA 2026 Deadline: July 1 Present your research at ACA 2026, strengthen your CV, and share your work with leaders in osteopathic surgery. 🧠 Lead, Mentor, and Research with ORIGINS Deadline: July 1 Serve as a Co-PI, mentor medical students in virtual research projects, and help advance osteopathic surgical research. 👥 Join the Resident Section Executive Committee Deadline: July 15 Develop leadership skills, expand your professional network, and help shape the future of resident programming. 🎥 Resident Surgical Video Competition Deadline: July 31 Showcase your surgical expertise and have your video featured at ACA 2026 in New Orleans. Build your CV. Expand your network. Make your mark in osteopathic surgery. Visit facos.org/ResOpps to learn more and submit your application.

Fred Scott, D.O., is connecting with the next generation of osteopathic surgeons through mentorship and outreach. Earlier this month, Dr. Scott and his wife, Debbie, visited Marian University Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine to speak with students interested in General Surgery about the unique opportunities and challenges of rural surgical practice. During the discussion, students learned about the realities of providing surgical care in underserved communities, while Debbie shared perspective on life as a physician spouse in a small town. Thank you Dr. Scott for your work advocating for rural healthcare and for expanding the osteopathic surgical community!

Students and Residents: Don't miss the opportunity to present your research at the ACOS Mid-Year meeting this April! There's still time! Abstract submissions will be open until Saturday, January 31! Visit facos.org/GSMYabstracts for more information including submission requirements.

ACOS–MSS Chair Allie Heineman presented at the 3rd Annual Department of Neurosurgery Research Symposium on June 20, 2025, where she was awarded Best Oral Presentation for her research on Predictors of Delayed Neurological Deterioration in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Her presentation showcased work conducted during her research gap year at Dr. Laura Ngwenya’s Translational Neurotrauma Laboratory at the University of Cincinnati. Allie is on track to graduate in 2026. Congratulations Allie! @ACOS_MSS