Convocation Will Celebrate ACS Fellows and a New Era of Leadership

Convocation has been a defining tradition of the ACS Clinical Congress since the College’s founding in 1913.

Each year, the ceremony welcomes a new class of ACS Fellows, recognizes distinguished surgeons through Honorary Fellowship and other awards, and formally installs the incoming ACS President and officers. For generations of surgeons, participation in Convocation has marked a memorable milestone in their careers.

This year’s Convocation will take place Saturday, September 26, beginning at 5:45 pm.

During the ceremony, 2,111 surgeons from the US, Canada, and 86 other countries will be initiated as new Fellows of the ACS.

Eight surgeons from Europe, Asia, and North America also will be inducted as Honorary Fellows. This year marks the 109th occasion on which the College has bestowed Honorary Fellowship and will bring the total number of Honorary Fellowships granted by the ACS to 533. The first was presented in 1913 to William Stewart Halsted, MD, FACS(Hon) (1852–1922), widely known as the Father of American Surgery.

Convocation also will recognize two surgeons with prestigious ACS awards.

Charles Mabry, MD, FACS, surgeon-in-chief of Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, will receive the Distinguished Service Award. The highest honor granted by the ACS, the award recognizes outstanding service to the College and the field of surgery.

In recognition of her groundbreaking career, Jo Buyske, MD, FACS, executive director and CEO of the American Board of Surgery, will receive the Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Inspiring Women in Surgery Award. 

A highlight of the evening will be the installation of Timothy J. Eberlein, MD, FACS, as the 2026–2027 ACS President. Dr. Eberlein is the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor, director of the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, and senior associate dean for cancer programs at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Eberlein has been active within the ACS for more than 30 years. His service has included membership on the Board of Governors, serving as Chair of the Board of Regents, and a longstanding tenure as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons from 2004 to 2025.

Following his installation, Dr. Eberlein will deliver his Presidential Address and share his leadership vision for the coming year. He has chosen the theme “The House of Surgery—Stronger Together.”

All Clinical Congress attendees are invited to attend Convocation in person or watch the ceremony live at facs.org/convocation. Following Convocation, attendees and their family members are welcome to continue the evening at the Capital City Welcome Reception.