GENERAL SURGERY DISCIPLINE

General Surgery Discipline Bylaws

(Approved in September 2025 at the Annual Clinical Assembly)

ARTICLE I: NAME

This organization shall hereafter be known as the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) Discipline of General Surgery. It will be referred to as the Discipline.

ARTICLE II: DEFINITION OF THE SURGICAL SPECIALTY

General Surgery is a specialty which encompasses a wide field of practice. It requires both cognitive and procedural skills for treating a broad spectrum of diseases, injuries and deformities. General Surgeons are thoroughly trained in the basic sciences and in osteopathic principles. They are competent in the pre-operative and post-operative care of surgical patients as well as in the technical performance of Surgery. These principles of General Surgery are the basis of all of the surgical subspecialties.

The core areas include surgery of the abdominal wall, alimentary tract, breast, endocrine organs and trauma. In addition, the general surgeon has knowledge and experience in gynecologic, oncologic, orthopedic, pediatric, peripheral vascular, plastic, thoracic and urologic surgery and endoscopic procedures. The general surgeon is also trained and experienced in the management of the critically ill patient with multiple organ system failure including but not limited to cardiopulmonary resuscitation, nutritional support, the management of sepsis and coagulopathies. A comprehensive residency training program is the basis of this definition.

The general surgeon may also engage in various subspecialities consummate with their expertise, training, education and experience.

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

This Discipline is being established as directed by the ACOS and shall preserve the overall objectives, ideals, and functions of the ACOS.

1. To be the representative discipline of the ACOS Discipline of General Surgery;

2. To promote post-graduate continuing education programs in the field of Osteopathic General Surgery.

3. To preserve the overall objectives, ideals and functions of the Discipline of General Surgery as defined in Article II; and

4. To maintain and promote the highest moral and ethical standards as well as pursue all charitable and scientific endeavors in the practice of general surgery.

5. To pursue excellence in osteopathic surgical education.

6. To elevate and sustain formal instruction or advanced study and training in osteopathic general surgery

7. To advance osteopathic general surgery by dissemination of scientific knowledge and research through meetings, presentations, and publications.

8. To honor leaders in the field of osteopathic general surgery.

9. To promote mutual fellowship among osteopathic general surgeons

10. To collaborate with other branches of the medical profession in all matters of mutual interest and to the benefits of our patients.

11. To uphold those principles, policies and practices for the attainment of excellence in osteopathic patient care.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall consist of all members of ACOS in good standing whose practice encompasses the discipline of General Surgery.

Section 1–Active member.

Active membership in the discipline shall be open only to active members of the ACOS whose training and experience encompass the field of general surgery. Applicants for membership must meet the requirements outlined in the bylaws, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Educational Background: Applicants must be graduates of an American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) accredited college of osteopathic medicine or a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredited college of medicine. Member applications are open to physicians who have successfully completed a surgical residency training program approved by the AOA, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or an accredited body acceptable to the ACOS Board of Governors.

2. Licensure: Applicants are required to maintain and continuously hold a full, unrestricted license to practice medicine and/or surgery in the state or jurisdiction where they are employed. This requirement extends to physicians who possess a valid license from another state, provided that such licensure is recognized and accepted in the state or jurisdiction of their current practice.

3. Ethical Practice: Applicants must practice ethically and be recognized in the community as surgeons or healthcare providers of surgical patients.

4. Induction Ceremony: All new active members are required to attend an annual meeting of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons to participate in a membership induction ceremony at the ACOS Ceremonial Conclave within three years of application acceptance. Failure to attend any of these three meetings for induction will result in the membership being forfeited.

Membership may be reinstated by the Membership Committee at the request of the former member, effective after the former member attends the subsequent annual meeting and participates in the induction ceremony.

5. Application Process: The established application process must be approved by the Board of Governors.

6. Compliance: Applicants must agree to abide by the bylaws, rules, regulations, and ethics of the ACOS and the AOA Code of Ethics.

Section 2–Life members

1. A Life member is any active or associate member who has reached the age of sixty (60) and has been a member for twenty (20) years.

2. Life members of the ACOS whose specialty is general surgery shall be life members of the discipline.

Section 3–Resident Members

Resident member applications are open to resident physicians who have commenced training in an ACGME or ACOS Board of Governors approved surgical training program. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Educational Background: Applicants must be graduates of a COCA- accredited college of osteopathic medicine, or an LCME-accredited college of medicine.

2. Residency Status: Applicants must be, and continue to be, resident physicians or fellows in good standing in an ACGME accredited surgical training program or program approved by the ACOS Board of Governors.

3. Compliance: Applicants must agree to abide by the bylaws, rules, regulations, and ethics of ACOS, as well as the AOA Code of Ethics.

4. The application process must be approved by the Board of Governors.

Section 4—Associate Members

Members of other disciplines of the ACOS who are also practicing General Surgery shall be eligible for Associate membership. Associate membership shall be available to any nonsurgical osteopathic or allopathic physician, or an advanced practice provider who supports the mission and objectives of the ACOS. An applicant must meet the following requirements:

1.  Educational Background: Nonsurgical or other surgical specialty physicians or advanced practice healthcare providers must be graduates of their accredited program (PAs, NPs) or an institution acceptable to the Board of Governors.

2. Physician Membership: If the applicant is a physician, they must be a member in good standing with the American Osteopathic Association, or an American Medical Association (AMA) recognized national medical specialty society.

3. Advanced Practice Provider Membership: If the applicant is an advanced practice provider, they must be a member in good standing with the national specialty society for their specialty (e.g., ANA, AAPA, NACHNS).

4. Additional Requirements: The applicant must meet any other requirements as determined by the Board of Governors.

5. Application Process: The application process shall be approved by the Board of Governors.

6. Compliance: The applicant must agree to abide by the bylaws, rules policies, regulations, and Code of Ethics of the ACOS and AOA.

Section 5. Retired Members

A Retired member is any active or associate member who has permanently retired from practice and who does not qualify for Life or Inactive membership. Retired members of the ACOS whose specialty is General Surgery shall be Retired members of the discipline. An applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. Retired Membership may be granted to any Active or Associate Member who has permanently retired from practice and does not qualify for Life or Inactive Membership.

2. Retired Members and Retired Associate Members shall not be obligated to satisfy the requirements for continuing surgical education, attendance at annual meetings of ACOS, and licensure to practice osteopathic medicine and surgery in the state in which they reside.

3. The applicant shall agree to abide by the bylaws, rules, and regulations of ACOS and the AOA Code of Ethics.

Section 6 Inactive Members

Any discipline member who is temporarily not in surgical practice may be an Inactive member.

Section 7 International Members.

Applicants for international surgical membership must hold a medical degree from an accredited institution recognized by the Board of Governors, demonstrate English language proficiency, and provide documentation of completed surgical training in a recognized subspecialty. An applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. They must be licensed in good standing in all jurisdictions of practice, with no pending disciplinary actions.

2. Board certification or eligibility from an appropriate national or international surgical board is required.

3. Applicants must adhere to ethical standards, submit a professional reference from a current ACOS active member, and agree to uphold the principles of osteopathic philosophy.

4. Additional requirements include submission of an education abstract, attendance at an induction ceremony within three years of acceptance, and compliance with all bylaws and regulations.

5. Leadership roles are reserved for U.S. trained osteopathic physicians.

6. Membership is subject to approval by the Board of Governors.

ARTICLE V OFFICERS

The officers of this discipline shall be Chair, Chair-Elect, Past Chair, and Secretary. At the annual member meeting of the Discipline, a Chair-Elect and Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two (2) years. Election shall be by a majority of votes cast by a quorum of eligible voting members. In order to serve, the officer must be a fellow of the ACOS (FACOS) and been in active surgical practice during the last three (3) years. Officers shall not receive any compensation for their service. Discipline officers and governors may not be a board member of an American Osteopathic Association specialty certifying board or ACGME certifying board.

Section 1 – Chair

The Chair shall be the principal elected officer of the discipline and shall preside at all meetings of the Discipline and Executive Committee. To serve as the Discipline Chair, the candidate must be a Fellow of the ACOS (FACOS). He/She shall be a voting member of the ACOS Board of Governors, an ex-officio member of all discipline committees, and shall perform all duties delegated to him/her by the Executive Committee and/or the Board of Governors He/She shall also communicate to the ACOS and Board of Governors regarding the state of the discipline and may make suggestions to promote its welfare. The discipline Chair shall serve one (1) term of two (2) years. If, for any reason, the Chair is unable to perform his/her duties, the Chair-elect shall assume the office of Chair for the balance of the term of the Chair and will fulfill his/her elected term as delineated in this Article V Section 1. The Chair shall become the Past Chair of the Discipline at the end the second Board of Governors meeting at the ACA.

Section 2 – Chair-Elect

The Chair-elect shall preside at all meetings of the discipline and/or the discipline’s Executive Committee in the event of the temporary disability or absences by the Chair and shall perform all duties delegated to him/her by the Chair or the Executive Committee. In order to serve as the discipline Chair-elect, the candidate must be a Fellow of the ACOS (FACOS). The Chair-elect shall serve a term of two years. In the event of the resignation or death of the Chair-elect, the office shall remain vacant until the next meeting of the discipline, at which time a Chair-elect shall be elected. In the event of the resignation or death of the Chair, or if the Chair shall, for any reason, be unable or unqualified to serve, the Chair-elect shall fill the office of Chair during the balance of the Chair’s term and then automatically succeed to the role of discipline Chair as provided in Section 1. The Chair-Elect shall succeed to the office of Chair at the end of the second Board of Governors meeting at the ACA.

Section 3 – Past Chair

The Past Chair shall serve one (1) term of two (2) years. He/She shall preside at all meeting of the discipline and of the Executive Committee in the event of the temporary disability, or absence from meetings, of the Chair and Chair-elect. He/She shall have such other duties as the Chair, or the Executive Committee may assign.

Section 4 – Secretary- Treasurer

The Secretary-Treasurer shall oversee: the Discipline’s funds and financial records; the timely collection of members’ dues and/or assessments; the establishment of appropriate accounting procedures for the handling of the Discipline’s funds; the preparation of an annual budget for approval by the Executive Committee; the performance of an annual review of the financial statements prepared by the ACOS staff; and, further shall report on the financial condition of the Discipline at the annual members meeting, and at other times as called upon by the Chair.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall ensure the accurate recording and maintenance of proceedings of meetings of the Discipline and the Executive Committee, shall ensure that accurate records are kept of all members, and perform such other duties as legally required or otherwise prescribed by the Executive Committee.

He/She shall serve one (1) term of two (2) years.

In the event of the resignation or death of the Chair and the Chair-elect, and if the Chair and Chair-elect shall, for any reason, be unable or unqualified to serve, the Secretary shall fill the office of the Chair until the next meeting of the discipline, at which time a Chair and Chair-elect shall be elected. In the event of the resignation or death of the Secretary, the Chair shall appoint a member of the discipline to the office for the balance of the unexpired term or next election can be held.

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION 1 – COMPOSITION

The Executive Committee of this Discipline shall be composed of the duly elected Chair, Chair- Elect, Secretary, and the immediate Past Chair of the discipline.

SECTION 2 – AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBLITY

The Executive Committee shall have supervision, control, and direction of the affairs of the Discipline; shall determine its policies or changes therein within the limits of the College bylaws and policies; shall actively pursue its purposes and shall have discretion in the disbursement of its funds. It may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable, and may, in the execution of the power granted, appoint such agents as it may consider necessary.

The Executive Committee shall meet during the discipline’s annual membership meeting and may hold other meetings as directed by the Chair, or at the call of any three (3) members of the Executive Committee. Three (3) members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Executive Committee also shall meet upon the call of the Chair or a majority of the members of the Executive Committee. Meetings may take place virtually via conference call or video conferencing format. The times and places of the meetings shall be determined by the Executive Committee. Notice of all meetings of the Executive Committee shall be sent by email to each member of the Executive Committee in advance of each meeting.
The Executive Committee shall act for the membership between meetings of the membership.

The Executive Committee shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the membership.

Any action taken by the Executive Committee may be voted upon by email provided that all members of the Executive Committee consent and no less than a majority of the entire Executive Committee vote in favor of the issue presented in order for approval.

All business conducted by the Executive Committee shall be reported by the Chair, in conjunction with the Governors, to the discipline’s membership in a timely fashion. Business by the ACOS Board of Governors, that is approved for public distribution, shall also be reported to the discipline’s membership in a timely fashion.

The Executive Committee shall have general supervision and direction of the financial affairs of the Discipline.

Members shall not receive any compensation for their service on the Executive Committee. During the year the Executive Committee shall receive and act upon reports of standing committees that are required by the bylaws of the discipline of General Surgery and any special committees as directed by the Chair. It shall transact such other business as has been delegated to it or might be considered by it in the best interest of the discipline of General Surgery and the welfare of its membership.

The discipline bylaws shall be consistent with the bylaws, policies, and procedures of the ACOS. The Executive Officers of the discipline shall in no way conflict with the overall objectives, ideals, and functions, or purpose of the ACOS.

ARTICLE VII: REPRESENTATION TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Representatives to the ACOS Board of Governors shall be elected at the annual general membership meeting, following the election of officers of the discipline. A quorum must be present and election shall be determined by a majority vote of the voting members in attendance in accordance with the discipline’s bylaws and the bylaws of the ACOS.

Election of the position of Governor to Board of Governors shall be for a term of three (3) years. Governors may not serve more than two (2) terms, or three (3) terms provided one term is served as discipline chair.

Representatives to the Board of Governors are charged to represent the viewpoint of the majority of the membership of the discipline. They shall make regular reports to the executive committee and membership after every meeting of the ACOS Board of Governors.

In the case of resignation or death of a Governor on the ACOS Board of Governors and with the approval of the discipline Executive committee, the Chair will appoint a member to that position only until the time of the next annual meeting when an election shall be held to fill that position for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Only members who hold the FACOS title and who are currently in active surgical practice or have been in active surgical practice in the last three (3) years may be elected as discipline officers and Governors. To be eligible to be elected by the Discipline as Chair elect, a member shall have served as a Discipline committee member and/or Secretary-Treasurer. A current member of the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery’s Board of Directors is ineligible from serving as a Governor on the ACOS Board of Governors.

ARTICLE VIII VACANCIES AND REMOVAL

A member of the Executive Committee may resign at any time by giving written notice to the ACOS Chief Executive Officer. Such resignation will take effect at the time specified therein or at the time of acceptance as determined by the Chair or the Executive Committee or Discipline Governor.

For just and reasonable cause, any member of the Executive Committee may be removed by three fourths vote of the discipline membership majority via in person vote.

When a Governor is elected as President-Elect of the Board of Governors from the General Surgery discipline, the Discipline shall elect a Governor to replace that individual at the Discipline’s next business meeting. In the interim, the Chair may appoint a temporary Governor until an election can occur.

When a Governor is elected as Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Governors, that individual will maintain their Governor seat until such a time as they finish their term as Governor or complete their Secretary-Treasurer responsibilities, whichever is later with accordance to ACOS bylaws.

ARTICLE IX MEMBER MEETINGS

Section 1 – Annual Meeting

There shall be an annual business meeting of the discipline membership during the Annual Clinical Assembly of the ACOS or virtually at a time and place determined by the Chair. This meeting may be attended by only active, life, and retired members who are in good standing with the ACOS. At the annual meeting all necessary business shall be transacted and in election years, the election to the offices of the discipline for the upcoming term shall be held.
The discipline shall conduct educational programs deemed desirable and beneficial by the Continuing Education Committee. These programs shall fully comply with the regulations governing general programs at the Annual Clinical Assembly.

The order of business the annual meeting shall be:

1. Call to order by the Chair

2. Approval of minutes

3 Chair’s report and Governor’s report

4. Secretary-Treasurer’s financial report

5. Committee Reports

6. Report of the Nominating Committee when necessary

7. Election of Officers in alternate years

8. Election of an ACOS Governor when necessary

9. Unfinished business

10. New business

11. Adjournment

Section 2 – Other Meetings

Other meetings of the members shall be held at the call of the Chair. Notice for any special meeting must be at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting. Such notice shall be in writing, via email, to all members of the discipline.

Section 3 – Quorum and Voting Privileges

QUORUM

A quorum shall consist of 50 voting members or fair representation of the discipline.

VOTING

Only active members, life members, and retired members in good standing are eligible to vote at a member meeting. Action may be taken upon a simple majority vote of those entitled to vote, once a quorum is present.

The Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the membership between regularly scheduled meetings, may decide that any action which could be taken at an annual meeting of the members may instead be taken without a meeting. This can be done by delivering a written ballot to every current member entitled to vote on the matter, using any reasonable technological or written means. Voting by written ballot shall be permitted to the fullest extent allowed by the Missouri Nonprofit Corporation Act as described in the ACOS Bylaws.

ARTICLE X – DUES

Section 1-Dues Rates

Upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee, dues, and assessments for membership in the General Surgery discipline shall, upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee, be determined, by a majority vote of the members present. These dues must be paid prior to due date for the upcoming year to maintain membership within the Discipline.

Upon an affirmative vote of the majority of the members present, special assessments may be levied to meet emergencies or to secure special speakers for the General Surgery discipline educational programs.

Section 2-Delinquent Dues

Any member, who after due and proper hearing, is suspended or expelled from the membership of the ACOS or is dropped from membership due to delinquency in dues payments, shall automatically forfeit his/her membership in the Discipline. Reinstatement of the membership shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, if any, as imposed by the Board of Governors of the ACOS Bylaws and policies. In relation to the disciplinary action taken. Reinstatement of the membership shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, per the ACOS Bylaws and policies imposed by the Board of Governors in relation to the disciplinary action taken. Such written consent may be provided through any technological means provided that there is written proof of the communication.

ARTICLE XI – COMMITTEES

The following shall be the standing committees of this discipline and committee members shall be appointed by the Chair-elect prior to the annual membership meeting subject to approval by the Executive Committee. The appointments shall become effective when the Chair-elect assumes the office of Chair.

Section 1 – Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members from the discipline elected by the membership at the annual member meeting. Each member of this committee shall serve a term of two (2) years and may not exceed three (3) terms. No current member of the nominating committee is eligible for election as a discipline officer or as a Governor.

The Nominating Committee shall propose the names of individuals to be elected as Chair-Elect, Secretary, three members of the Nominating Committee, and Governor(s) to the ACOS Board of Governors.

Only Active and Life Members who hold the FACOS title and who are currently in active surgical practice or have been in active surgical practice in the last three (3) years may be elected as discipline officers and Governors.

The committee will present no more than two (2) names for each position to be filled. Additional names may be presented from the floor at the annual member meeting granted those nominated have been vetted by the Nominating Committee.

A slate of candidates as named by the Nominating Committee shall be presented together with each candidate’s qualifications to the ACOS CEO at least ninety (90) days prior to the next annual meeting to be sent to the membership. If this timeline is not feasible the executive committee may extend this timeline accordingly.

Section 2 – The Bylaws Committee

This committee will consist of three (3) members each appointed by the discipline Chair, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.

This committee will be headed by a Chair designated by the discipline Chair. Each member of this committee shall serve a term of two (2) years and may not exceed three (3) terms.

This committee will be charged with periodic review of the bylaws, proposing changes to the bylaws, preparing such changes and submitting them to the Secretary for notification to the membership.

Section 3- Continuing Education Committee

The Continuing Education Committee (CEC) shall consist of three (3) members of the discipline appointed by the Chair. They will also serve on the ACOS Continuing Education Committee. The term of this committee will be for two (2) years, with a maximum of three (3) terms.

The Discipline’s Continuing Education Committee (CEC) will prepare an educational program on general surgery topics for the Annual Clinical Assembly (ACA) and conform to the regulations and requirements of the CEC of the ACOS. The committee chair will be appointed by the Chair of the Discipline who will offer oversight to the committee. The executive committee of the Discipline will be appointed members of the CEC, in addition to Discipline membership appointments.

The CEC shall meet at the call of the committee chair and shall have a representative present at all meetings of the CEC of the ACOS and the discipline.

Section 4 – Other Committees

The Discipline Chair may appoint other committees, with the approval of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XI – CODE OF ETHICS

The General Surgery discipline of the ACOS subscribes to and adopts the Code of Ethics as determined by the ACOS and AOA; requires that all discipline members are familiar with the ACOS specified Code of Ethics and AOA Code of Ethics; and that each member adhere to the provisions as set forth and as revised, amended, and/or interpreted from time to time.

All questions of ethics shall be directed to the ACOS Ethics Committee for investigation, deliberation, and recommendation to the ACOS Board of Governors.

ARTICLE XII – RULES OF ORDER

In the absence of any provision in these Bylaws, all meetings of the ACOS, the Board of Governors, duly appointed committees, and task forces shall be governed by standard parliamentary procedures which provide for adequate notice and fair opportunity for debate. The Presiding Officer may be guided by, but not bound by, the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order-Newly Revised.

ARTICLE XIII: DISSOLUTION

The discipline shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these bylaws, and no part of said funds shall inure, or be distributed, to the members of the discipline. On dissolution of the discipline any funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized and qualified charitable, educational, scientific, or philanthropic organizations to be determined by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the bylaws of this discipline may be decided during the annual member’s business meeting by a majority vote of the members present.

Amendments shall be subject to approval by the Board of Governors of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and no proposition to amend shall be acted upon unless written notice thereof has been sent to the members of the general surgery discipline by the ACOS staff thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting or this can be accomplished by delivering a written ballot to every current member entitled to vote on the matter, using any reasonable technological or written means. Voting by written ballot shall be permitted to the fullest extent allowed by the Missouri Nonprofit Corporation Act.

Amendments must be made in accordance with ACOS bylaws and do not become effective until after ratification by the ACOS Board of Governors.

General Surgery Discipline Bylaws -September, 2025