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Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

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Clinical Congress

Medical Student Program

Save the date for Medical Student Program at Clinical Congress 2026, September 26–28 in Washington, DC.

Medical Student Program Quick Shot Presentation

medical-student-program-20251004142034jl.jpg

Medical students planning to attend the ACS Medical Student Program are invited to submit abstracts in one of the following three surgical categories:

  • Basic science research
  • Clinical science research
  • Education, outcomes, and innovation research

The top 48 abstracts will be invited to present during the Medical Student Program Quick Shot Presentation Session, a part of the ACS Medical Student Program, at this year’s Clinical Congress in Washington, DC.

View the Medical Student Abstract Guide for guidance on abstract structure, writing tips, and examples.

The Call for Abstracts is Now Live!

View Submission Guidelines

The Medical Student Program abstract submission deadline is Friday, June 26, 2026 at 12:00 pm CT.

Note: The submission site will not accept submissions and/or edits after this date/time.

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Program Sessions

The ACS Division of Education invites students from all four years of medical school to participate in this in-person program designed specifically for those considering a career in surgery. Programming varies by day, and medical students may attend the full three-day program or individual days, held Saturday, September 26, through Monday, September 28.

The program is offered at no cost. Medical students who wish to attend must register for both Clinical Congress and each day of the Medical Student Program they plan to attend. Participants must be currently enrolled in medical school as of September 2026.

Please note that attendance is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged. If you are not a current ACS Medical Student Member, your registration will not be finalized until your verification of current medical student status has been submitted via the registration portal and reviewed.

Schedule

Day 1: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 11:15 am–6:00 pm ET
Day 2: Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 1:15–5:00 pm ET
Day 3: Monday, September 28, 2026 | 12:45–6:00 pm ET

At a Glance

  • Planned presentations and activities include:
  • Different Faces of Surgery
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Climbing to Greatness Without a Grade
  • Diverse Professional Paths of Surgeons
  • Mastering the Surgical Residency Interview
  • Preparing for Surgical Residency (MS1-3)
  • Transitioning to Residency & Teaching the Resident-Teacher-to-Be (MS4)
  • Mock Interview Practice
  • Exploring Surgical Specialties, Practice Settings, and Other Topics
  • Networking Event with Surgery Residents (MS1-MS3)
  • Networking Event with Surgery Program Directors (MS4s only)

Special Sessions:

  • Quick Shot Presentation Session: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 2:35-4:05 pm
  • International and Osteopathic Medical Student Session: Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 11:30 am-12:45 pm
Saturday

Saturday’s program will include a discussion on the multifaceted nature of surgery and guidance for excelling in a pass/fail academic environment, in addition to a keynote address by Kenji Inaba, MD, FACS.

Later in the day, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with surgeon representatives from a variety of specialties and practice settings by selecting tables of interest.

Also incorporated in this program is the Medical Student Program Quick-Shot Presentation Session, during which 48 medical students will present their research in one of three categories: Clinical Research; Basic Science Research; or Outcomes, Innovation, or Education Research.

Sunday

Special features of Sunday’s program will include a panel highlighting various options for professional development during residency. This presentation will be followed by breakout sessions. Medical students in their fourth year and beyond will attend a resident panel on decision-making along the path to residency and beyond, as well as an interactive session offering teaching tips for rising residents. Junior students will begin with a session on away rotations and VSLO, followed by roundtable discussions focused on preparing for residency, including how to stand out as an applicant, craft an effective personal statement, and navigate the residency application process.

If you are an international or osteopathic medical student, there will be a special session before the program starts to address the unique challenges and provide the tools and resources to succeed.

Monday

Monday’s program will include a presentation by Kyla P. Terhune, MD, MBA, FACS, Senior Vice President of the Division of Education at the American College of Surgeons; presentation of the Medical Student Program Quick-Shot Presentation Awards; "Lessons from Leadership: A Conversation with the ACS President and Chair of the Board of Regents"; and a didactic session on "Mastering the Surgical Residency Interview", followed by mock interview practice.

After the mock interviews, MS4 students are invited to a networking event with residency program directors, while MS1–MS3 students are invited to a networking event with surgery residents.

If you register for the Medical Student Program and later find that you are unable to attend, we kindly ask that you contact Registration Services to update your registration. 

Contact

Please contact Cassie Buchignani, MS, PMP, Program Administrator, Medical Student Education, at cbuchignani@facs.org, with any questions or concerns.

For additional support, contact Michelle Armstrong, MAEd, MA, at marmstrong@facs.org.