RESIDENTS & CLINICAL FELLOWS
Resident Awards
The College recognizes excellence in surgical residents with two distinct categories of awards: The Resident Achievement Award and the Robert C. Erwin Literary Award.
Resident Achievement Award
About the Award
These awards honor ACOS residents in their final year of training who demonstrate excellence across modern surgical practice. This national distinction celebrates individuals who stand out in clinical skill, professionalism, leadership, and service, highlighting their role in advancing the standards of the surgical profession.
Supported by a generous grant from the ACOS Trust Fund, up to five residents are selected each year to receive national recognition, a $2,000 monetary award, and a commemorative plaque presented at the Annual Clinical Assembly. Recipients also gain early visibility for leadership opportunities within ACOS, along with recognition that strengthens their professional identity as surgical leaders.
June 1 deadline has passed. We are not currently accepting Applications.
Applications may be emailed to jweems@facos.org or mailed to:
ACOS Awards Committee:
1680 Duke Street Suite #500
Alexandria, VA 22314
Award Qualifications
- Be a Resident member of ACOS in good standing
- Be enrolled in an AOA-approved or ACGME-accredited surgical residency program, or in subsequent fellowship training beyond initial board eligibility
- Be in their final year of residency training and/or during subsequent graduate medical education beyond eligibility for first board certification (fellowship)
- Include a letter of support from the primary Program Director or participating trainer
- Complete and submit by June 1
Award Notification
Nominations for this award are open until June 1st. Recipients will be notified in August.
Robert C. Erwin Literary Award
About the Award
The Robert C. Erwin Literary Awards honor resident and student members who have authored outstanding original scientific manuscripts. This national distinction celebrates individuals whose scholarly work demonstrates excellence in research, writing, and contribution to the advancement of surgical knowledge, highlighting the impact of emerging voices in the field.
Supported by a generous grant from the ACOS Trust Fund, up to five resident and five student recipients will receive national recognition, a commemorative plaque presented at the Annual Clinical Assembly, and a monetary award ranging from $250 to $1,500.
June 1 deadline has passed. We are not currently accepting Applications.
Award Qualifications
- Applicant must be a Resident or Student member of the ACOS in good standing
- Applicant must be the primary author on the summitted manuscript
- Adhere to the Robert C. Erwin Literary Award submission guidelines
- Manuscript must focus on one of the recognized surgical specialties
- Complete and submit by June 1
Award Notification
Nominations for this award are open until June 1st. Recipients will be notified in August.
