Renowned surgical oncologist Timothy J. Eberlein, MD, FACS, will be installed as the 2026–2027 ACS President at Convocation this evening, succeeding Anton N. Sidawy, MD, MPH, FACS.
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. He has been active within the ACS for more than 30 years, serving as a member of the Board of Governors, Chair of the Board of Regents, and the longstanding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (2004–2025).
Convocation will be held in Hall B on the Lower Level of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center beginning at 5:45 pm. The ceremony, which will be livestreamed at facs.org/convocation and available on demand soon after its conclusion, will include the Procession of Initiates and Procession of Officers, Regents, Governors, and guests. A total of 2,118 initiates from 88 countries will be inducted as new ACS Fellows.
Dr. Eberlein will assume the presidency as part of the installation of ACS Officers. Sharon M. Henry, MD, FACS, will become the 2026–2027 First Vice-President, and Robert P. Sticca, MD, FACS, will become the 2026–2027 Second Vice-President.
Dr. Eberlein will then deliver his Presidential Address, centered on the theme of his presidential year, “The House of Surgery—Stronger Together.” This theme reflects a vision of collaboration across specialties, generations, and experiences.
Two major awards also will be presented during Convocation. The College’s highest individual honor, the Distinguished Service Award, will be presented to Charles Mabry, MD, FACS, in recognition of his longstanding service to the ACS and surgery. Jo Buyske, MD, FACS, will receive the Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Inspiring Women in Surgery Award for her significant contributions to advancing women in surgery.
In addition, initiates from the classes of 1976 and 2001 will be recognized, and Honorary Fellowships will be given to eight surgeons from around the world:
- Jorge Daes, MD, FACS, general surgeon who is globally recognized for achievements in laparoscopic, bariatric, and hernia repair surgery (Bogotá, Colombia)
- Paolo De Coppi, MD, PhD, FMedSci, leader in pediatric surgery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine (London, UK)
- Christian Gerber, MD, PhD, orthopaedic surgeon and expert in musculoskeletal medicine (Zürich, Switzerland)
- Rosa Maria Jorba Martín, MD, PhD, gastrointestinal surgeon and surgeon-leader (Tarragona, Spain)
- Abhay Rane, OBE, MBBS, MS, FRCSGlasg(Urol), urologist known for pioneering work in laparoscopic surgery (Surrey, UK)
- Jean-Baptiste Ricco, MD, PhD, FEBVS, emeritus professor of vascular surgery known for achievements in humanitarian surgery (Poitiers, France)
- Norbert Senninger, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCS, innovator in transplantation and complex gastrointestinal oncological surgery (Münster, Germany)
- Han-Kwang Yang, MD, PhD, FACS, gastric cancer surgeon and global leader in gastric cancer management (Seoul, South Korea)
The Capital City Welcome Reception will immediately follow Convocation. This complimentary event, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, celebrates the initiates, awardees, and new officers, and gives all conference attendees and their families the chance to socialize and enjoy cultural and culinary highlights of Washington, DC.
