Medical Student Committee Mission Statement:
The Florida Chapter, American College of Surgeons is a non-profit medical association whose mission is to support and improve the practice of surgery in the state of Florida. Our student committee aims to educate and engage Florida Medical Students in the practice of surgery.
Our Vision:
The Florida Chapter, American College of Surgeons offers a professional home for Florida surgeons interested in protecting patients and the profession of surgery. We provide opportunities for medical students to participate in state and national chapters of the FACS, and aim to create educational and professional surgical opportunities. These opportunities include education in numerous surgical fields, networking opportunities, and the development of personal relationships of the highest quality.
Committee Goals:
Committee Members:
Medical Student Chair:
Ronald Mackenzie, 2nd Year Student - Florida State University College of Medicine
What drew you to the FCACS?
I first learned about FCACS through the Surgery and Anesthesiology Interest Group at FSU’s College of Medicine. By demonstrating a passion for supporting surgeons, creating leadership opportunities, and pure comradery of the surgical field among many of its specialties, I knew I needed to get involved. Coming into medical school one of my main goals was to find a way to work with a state or national wide program that advocates for the surgical position and expands health care as a whole. FCACS gave me a perfect opportunity to live that goal.
What has been you’re favorite experience with FCACS?
My favorite experience so far, as there has been many, is the residency panel that was put on this year. As COVID has impacted us all greatly, it significantly impacted our medical education, specifically time in the clinic and travel to take part in research and conferences. This made it difficult to connect with physicians and residents that could offer us insight into our future careers. The residency panel was a perfect example how FCACS was still able to bring that to light by working with COVID restrictions and utilizing available resources to bring important information to medical students.
How do you think participating at FCACS as a student will affect your future career as a physician?Even during a pandemic, I believe FCACS has been, and will continue to be, a blessing in providing an immense amount of information that I wouldn’t have received from a typical medical education. By connecting with physicians, residents, and even other medical students throughout Florida, I have learned so much about the surgical profession and what it entails. FCACS has demonstrated how important it is to advocate for our profession and work together as a state not only for our medical education, but for the care of our patients.
Medical Student Vice Chair:
Hayden Greene, 2nd Year Student, Florida State College of Medicine
Membership
Membership in the Florida Chapter – Medical Student is automatic for medical student members of the Florida Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.
How to Become Involved
Annual Florida Chapter ACS meeting Honors & Awards
Upcoming Events: TBD
Medical Student Event: TBD