Santos joins esteemed Master Surgeon Educators
Mary Catherine Santos, MD, MSEd, FACS is among the elite group of surgeon educators to be inducted membership into the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators in 2024. Only 76 surgeons across the country were chosen for this distinguished Academy this year, ACS’ seventh cohort inducted.
Santos, a pediatric surgeon and professor of surgery and pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine, also serves as the program director of the General Surgery Residency and the surgical director at the College of Medicine’s Clinical Simulation Center. She is a dedicated surgeon educator with experience in simulation and simulation leadership, as well as resident and student education and education related to quality improvement.
“I am honored to join this distinguished group and am eager to work with my colleagues across the country to advance surgical education, surgical techniques and patient care,” said Santos.
Other awards Santos has received as a surgeon educator include Associate Membership in the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
“This impressive recognition reflects Dr. Santos’ dedication to both the skill of surgery and guiding future generations of surgeons,” said Erica Friedman, MD, vice dean for educational affairs at the College of Medicine. “The College of Medicine, Simulation Center, Surgery Residency Program and our students, residents and fellows are fortunate to learn from and have such an accomplished and gifted surgeon educator in our leadership.”
The ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators works to advance the science and practice of education across all surgical specialties. Individuals are selected as Members, Associate Members, or Affiliate Members following a stringent peer review process.
Once inducted, Academy members actively engage in advancing the Academy’s programs and goals, which are to advance the science and practice of innovative lifelong surgical education, training, and scholarship in the changing milieu of health care; foster the exchange of creative ideas and collaboration; support the development and recognition of faculty; underscore the importance of lifelong surgical education and training; positively impact quality and patient safety through lifelong surgical education and training; disseminate advances in education and training to all surgeons; and offer mentorship to surgeon educators throughout their professional careers.
“This year, we celebrate another cohort of distinguished surgeon educators who are pushing the frontiers of surgical education and making outstanding contributions to our field,” said Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, MAMSE, Director of the ACS Division of Education and Co-Chair of the Academy. “As we welcome these new members, we are excited to continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence in surgical education. Together, we will define the future of surgical education and inspire the next generation of educators to advance patient care and professional practice through impactful education.”
Academy members collaborate on and publish significant works of scholarship and participate in fireside chats, Grand Rounds Series, and the Academy Symposium, an annual conference that brings together Academy members to exchange best practices and discuss critical topics in surgical education. The Academy continues to focus on outreach and mentorship to surgeon educators from across the globe, with a special emphasis on engaging surgeon educators from low-middle income countries.
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