Canadian contribution to the American College of Surgeons

One hundred years ago, a group of surgeons from the United States and Canada founded the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Its origin lies in its journal, which was started 8 years earlier. Annual clinical congresses designed to promote the journal attracted so many surgeons from North America that the need for a permanent organization to promote the practice of surgery was apparent. Franklin H. Martin, the pioneer of all these initiatives, should be remembered on this centenary as the hero of continuing medical education (CME) and advocacy in surgery. The ACS has remained true to his vision. It is the premier advocate of surgery and surgical patients in the United States and is the world’s principal source of CME materials. Martin’s clinical congress, which continues as the annual scientific meeting of the ACS, remains the most important meeting of surgeons