Surgical Progress Unveiled: A Recap of ACS Clinical Congress 2025

That’s a Wrap on ACS Clinical Congress 2025

Chicago once again served as the proud host of one of the most impactful gatherings in global surgery—the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2025. Surgeons, educators, researchers, and leaders from across the world came together for a week of innovation, education, and collaboration.

From cutting-edge sessions and inspiring leadership milestones to celebrating surgical champions and honoring lifelong educators, this year’s Congress set a new standard.

Honoring Leaders in Surgical Innovation

We had the privilege of meeting and connecting with several prominent leaders from the international surgical community:

• Dr. Leo-Paul Powell, President of the Association of Surgeons in Jamaica
• Dr. Tracia Powell, Pediatrician and driving force in Jamaican healthcare
• Dr. Wesley Francis, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctors Hospital in The Bahamas

Their leadership and global impact exemplify the spirit of the ACS community.

Welcoming the New ACS President: Dr. Anton N. Sidawy

A major highlight of the Congress was the installation of Dr. Anton N. Sidawy, MD, MPH, FACS, DFSVS, MAMSE as the 106th President of the American College of Surgeons.

A distinguished vascular surgeon, educator, and longtime leader within the ACS, Dr. Sidawy steps into this role with a vision rooted in servant leadership, global collaboration, and quality improvement.

Dr. Sidawy brings a career marked by:

• Over 200 peer-reviewed publications
• Editorial leadership of three major vascular surgery journals
• Authorship of the 9th and 10th editions of Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery
• Leadership of the ACS Vascular Verification Program
• A deep commitment to education, mentorship, and international outreach

Originally from Syria and now Chair of Surgery at George Washington University, Dr. Sidawy exemplifies perseverance, purpose, and service. Joining him in leadership are:

• First Vice-President: Dr. Anne C. Mosenthal, trauma surgeon and palliative care advocate
• Second Vice-President: Dr. Edward Barksdale Jr., pediatric surgeon and leader in community violence prevention initiatives

Celebrating Repocalypse ACS 2025 Champions

Adding a dose of friendly competition to the week, the Repocalypse ACS 2025 Tournament was a crowd favorite.

🏆 Champion: Dr. Alvaro Ducas, Research Fellow in Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at the University of Illinois Chicago.
🥈 Runner-Up: Dr. Hasan Buyukdogan of Turkey, a global leader in aesthetic and surgical innovation.

AI & Robotics Take Center Stage

A defining theme of ACS 2025 was the rapid rise of AI and robotics in surgery. Surgeons explored how machine learning, large language models, and computer vision are transforming surgical education, planning, and practice.

Key sessions included:

• Using ChatGPT and AI for Beginners
• AI: Who Is in Control?
• Research Misconduct: Defending Scientific Integrity against the Machine
• Artificial Intelligence in Surgical Science: Clinical Prediction Models, Large Language Models, and Computer Vision

Robotic surgery continued to gain traction, with robust programming on credentialing and clinical use, including:

• Credentialing and privileging for robotic surgery
• Returning Surgical Skills Course on robotic hernia surgery
• Integrated robotic surgery sessions across specialties

The future is here, and conversations around ethics, access, and practical use are just beginning.

Academy of Master Surgeon Educators: 2025 Induction

A truly transformative moment at this year’s Congress was the induction of 103 esteemed surgeons into the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators®.

These newly inducted members represent 13 surgical specialties and come from 32 U.S. states and 9 countries beyond the U.S.

Their inclusion signifies:

• A lifelong commitment to surgical education, mentorship, and scholarship
• Dedication to improving patient outcomes through innovative training
• Participation in initiatives like Grand Rounds, fireside chats, and the Academy Symposium

“Induction into the Academy is more than an honor—it’s a call to action,” said Dr. L.D. Britt, Co-Chair of the Academy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Endoscopy Superstore® (@endoscopysuperstore)

Engaging, Learning, and Advancing Surgical Excellence

Throughout the week, attendees engaged in thought-provoking sessions, immersive hands-on workshops, and candid conversations that challenged norms and redefined what’s possible in surgical care.

From hallway collaborations to high-impact keynotes, ACS 2025 left attendees energized to return to their institutions with new tools, knowledge, and global partnerships.

Looking Ahead

With new leadership, a growing Academy of educators, and a global community committed to excellence, the House of Surgery is stronger than ever.

👉 Click here to shop the Laparoscopy Essentials we brought to ACS — trusted tools designed to optimize performance and precision in every procedure.