Responsibilities: Advisory Council of Diplomates and Primary Care Veterinarians (Advisory Council) responsibilities include projects or activities aiming to increase awareness of ACVS and ACVS Diplomates among animal owners and primary care veterinarians (PCVs); foster positive relationships between PCVs and ACVS Diplomates; and establish/enhance ACVS Diplomates’ relationships with animal owners.
Meetings: Conference calls held periodically during the year.
Workload: Light to moderate and variable during the year.
Term of service: One-, two-, and three-year terms based on volunteer’s preference. Terms begin November 1, 2023, and end October 31.
Positions available in 2024: TBD
Prerequisite: None
When to apply: March 2024

Responsibilities: The Public Outreach Committee contributes to the ACVS brand by writing and reviewing articles for the Animal Health Topics (AHT) section of the website. ACVS Diplomates and residents are encouraged to contribute articles. AHT articles are directed toward the animal-owning public. Topics include current, basic, and essential content, and articles are written for animal owners with minimal veterinary medical knowledge. The liberal use of visuals (illustrations and digital images) is highly encouraged.
Note: Volunteers who write AHT may also volunteer to serve on a committee or advisory group.
When to apply: July 1, 2023

Responsibilities: The Public Outreach Committee contributes to the ACVS brand by writing and reviewing articles for the Animal Health Topics (AHT) section of the website. Completed AHTs are translated into Spanish for the website, and each is reviewed for accuracy and updates every five years on a rotating basis. The translator will use the revised articles to update the Spanish translation of the article as needed.
Note: Volunteers who translate AHT may also volunteer to serve on a committee or advisory group.
Workload: Varies
Term of service: One year
When to apply: March 2024

Responsibilities: The Continuing Education Committee (CEC) is comprised of five subcommittees: equine/large animal program, small animal program, allied medicine and contemporary topics, laboratories, and scientific program. The CEC determines the programs for the ACVS Surgery Summit, digital learning programs, and stand-alone laboratories and provides program material.
Committee meetings: Each year, three CEC meetings are held: a virtual spring meeting, a virtual summer meeting, and an in-person meeting in conjunction with the Surgery Summit in October. As much as possible, it is necessary for all committee members to attend these meetings. Additional meetings are scheduled as needed.
Benefits of service (benefit value estimates will change for volunteers whose committee terms begin February 1, 2024):

• CEC laboratory subcommittee members will receive reimbursement for hotel accommodations at the Summit headquarter hotels, or less expensive hotel, Monday–Wednesday evenings, a value of more than $300 per night, or approximately $900 total; and complimentary Surgery Summit registration, a value of $670.
• CEC members who are not laboratory subcommittee members will receive reimbursement for hotel accommodations at the Summit headquarter hotels, or less expensive hotel, on Wednesday evening (the day of the CEC meeting), a value of more than $300; and complimentary Surgery Summit registration, a value of $670. Note that in addition to attending the CEC meeting, you may be asked to support the Summit onsite in some other ways, for example, serving as a Residents’ Forum abstract reviewer or discussant, or poster judge.

Workload: Heavy, year-round.
Term of service: Subcommittee member terms are three years. Terms begin February 1.
Prerequisite: None
When to apply: The next call for volunteers for the CEC will occur in November 2023.

Responsibilities: One discussant is assigned to each scientific abstract in the Small and Large Animal Residents’ Forums at the ACVS Surgery Summit. Discussants are selected prior to the Surgery Summit and provided with the long abstract to review prior to the Forums. The role of the discussant is to initiate discussion of their assigned resident’s scientific abstract. Discussion should be thoughtful, professional, and respectful of the resident’s work. Questions should include, but are not limited to, clarification or rationale for study design and methodology or results; clinical application of the work; and future directions. The questions posed should give the resident an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge on the topic and highlight their thought process.
Committee meetings: None. Must be able to attend the assigned Residents’ Forum presentation at the Surgery Summit.
Benefits of service: Discussants at the Residents’ Forums will receive a $200 discount on Summit registration.
Workload: Light. Discussants must read the assigned long abstract and prepare 2-3 questions for the discussion period.
Term of service: Three months
Prerequisite: None
When to apply: The call for volunteers for Diplomates to serve as discussants at the 2024 Surgery Summit Residents’ Forums October 24, 2024, in Phoenix, AZ, will be in November 2023. Discussants will be notified in September 2024.

Responsibilities: Scientific abstract reviewers evaluate abstracts submitted for presentation at the ACVS Surgery Summit. There are seven Scientific Subcommittees: Small Animal Residents’ Forum, Large Animal Residents’ Forum, Poster Session, Small Animal Orthopedic, Large Animal Orthopedic, Small Animal General, and Large Animal General. Reviewers for the Residents’ Forums and the Poster Session also serve as judges for the Outstanding Surgery Residents’ Awards during the Surgery Summit.
Benefits of service: Reviewers for the Residents’ Forums and the Poster Session also serve as judges for the Outstanding Surgery Residents’ Awards during the Surgery Summit and receive a $200 discount on Summit registration.
Committee meetings: None. Attendance at the Residents’ Forum or Poster Session during the 2024 Surgery Summit is required for reviewers on those subcommittees. The 2024 Surgery Summit is October 24–26, 2024, in Phoenix, AZ.
Workload: Moderate workload with two-week turnaround time for the evaluation process, which begins early May 2024.
Term of service: Abstract reviewers will be notified in April 2024 and review and score all abstracts in May 2024. Each reviewer may be responsible for reviewing up to 50 abstracts.
Prerequisite: None
When to apply: The call for volunteers for Diplomates to review scientific abstracts submitted for presentation at the 2024 Surgery Summit will occur November 2023.

Responsibilities: The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) is charged with identifying and developing meaningful ways to build opportunities for all ACVS Diplomates and residents to participate in and engage with the College.
Meetings: The DEIC meets monthly via Zoom and conducts most of its work by email. Additional remote meetings may be scheduled based on the needs of individual DEIC initiatives.
Workload: Moderate
Term of service:  Four years. Terms begin November 1 and end October 31.
Positions available in 2023: Two
Prerequisite: Candidates must have a deep interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion and a commitment to working collaboratively. After submitting the volunteer opportunities form, applicants are asked to provide a one-page letter of interest indicating 1) why they want to join the committee and 2) the experiences and activities they have had that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
When to apply: March 2024

Responsibilities: Surgery STAT is a collaborative column between ACVS and dvm360 magazine. Articles are written for the primary care practitioner with basic surgical experience and provide tips for preoperative preparation, surgical techniques, and postoperative care. As an example, an article might discuss “how to avoid this possible complication” or “when doing this, here’s something to remember that might make things easier.” Articles are typically 500-800 words in length. dvm360 magazine compensates Surgery STAT writers $150 for each article published.
Note: Volunteers who write for dvm360 magazine Surgery STAT may also volunteer to serve a committee or advisory group.
When to apply: July 1, 2023

Responsibilities: The Examination Committee (EC), working with an examination consultant, prepares, administers, and grades the Phase I Surgical Knowledge Examination and Phase II Surgical Competency Examination.
Committee meetings: Four-to-five meetings per year. Three planned in-person meetings: a summer workshop in July/August, a fall workshop just prior to the Surgery Summit, and a grading session for the Phase II examination in February/March. The committee also meets virtually two times in the spring for a short planning meeting and longer workshop.
Benefits of service (benefit value estimates will change for volunteers whose committee terms begin June 1, 2024): Examination Committee members will receive reimbursement for actual round-trip coach/economy airfare to the Summit, subject to ACVS reimbursement policies, an estimated value of $700; reimbursement for hotel accommodations at the Summit headquarter hotels, or less expensive hotel, for Sunday–Wednesday nights to attend the Examination Committee meeting through the end of the day Wednesday, a value of more than $300 per night, or approximately $1,200 total; and complimentary Surgery Summit registration, a value of $670.
Workload: Heavy. Year-round responsibilities.
Term of service: Three-plus years. Terms begin June 1 and end after the grading of the Phase II examination (February/March).
Prerequisite: Committee members must have been an ACVS Diplomate for at least five years.
When to apply: The next call for volunteers for the Examination Committee will occur in December 2023 for volunteers to begin in June 2024.

Responsibilities: The Maintenance of Certification Committee (MCC) provides guidance to Diplomates concerning maintenance of certification (MOC) requirements; reviews and evaluates all Diplomate requests for approval of additional activities for MOC credit; conducts audits of Diplomate MOC records; and makes recommendations to the Board of Regents for certification renewal and changes to the Approved Activities List. In addition, the committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Regents regarding reinstatement of formerly board-certified individuals and hardship extension requests.
Committee meetings: MCC business is conducted primarily by conference calls and email, with 10 or more conference calls per year.
Workload: Moderate. Diplomate additional activity requests are reviewed year-round. Workload is heaviest during the annual audit, which takes place November–December.
Term of service: Three years. Terms begin August 1 and end July 31.
Positions available in 2024: TBD
Prerequisite: None
When to apply: March 2024

Responsibilities: The Nominating Committee (NC) invites and evaluates nominations for president-elect and two regents and nominations for recipients of three ACVS and two ACVS Foundation awards.
Committee meetings: No in-person meetings. At least one conference call is held during the year.
Workload: Moderate. The primary work of the committee is done between March and June.
Term of service: Two years. Terms begin November 1 and end October 31.
Positions available in 2024: Two: one large animal, one small animal
Prerequisite: NC members must have been an ACVS Diplomate for a minimum of 10 years.
When to apply: March 2024

Responsibilities: The Public Outreach Committee (POC) promotes the College with emphasis on the goal of increasing awareness of the value of ACVS board-certified surgeons to others in the veterinary profession and to the public. The committee is responsible primarily for writing and reviewing the Animal Health Topics articles posted on the ACVS website; writing and reviewing the ACVS column, Surgery STAT, in dvm360 magazine; monitoring and maintaining the relevance of animal owner content on the ACVS website; and promoting POC efforts using social media. Two committee members are assigned to manage the Animal Health Topics solicitation and review. One member is assigned to manage Surgery STAT solicitation and review.
Committee meetings: Quarterly conference calls.
Workload: Moderate. Animal Health Topics articles and Surgery STAT topics are reviewed as needed throughout the year.
Term of service: Three years. Terms begin November 1 and end October 31.
Positions available in 2024: TBD
Prerequisite: None
When to apply: March 2024

Responsibilities: The Research Committee evaluates research proposals by Diplomates and surgery residents submitted through the ACVS Foundation Research Grant Programs and makes recommendations to the Board of Regents for fund allocations. The committee also selects recipients of the Outstanding Surgery Residents’ Veterinary Surgery Publication Award for resident-authored manuscripts published in Veterinary Surgery.
Committee meetings: Three conference calls per year.
Workload: Moderate to heavy. Grant proposals are reviewed January–March. Resident manuscripts are evaluated June–September.
Term of service: Three years. Terms begin November 1 and end October 31.
Positions available in 2024: TBD
Prerequisite: None
When to apply: March 2024

Responsibilities: The Residency Program Compliance Committee (PCC) reviews all residency program applications (initial and annual renewals) and makes recommendations for registration status to the Board of Regents; determines and monitors program compliance; places programs on probation or suspension for noncompliance; conducts site visits to evaluate program compliance as necessary; removes programs from probation or suspensions when compliance is reestablished; reports program status; and makes recommendations for changes in program requirements to the Board of Regents in conjunction with the Resident Credentialing Committee.
Committee meetings: One held just prior to the Surgery Summit with two or three conference calls per year. Additional committee business is conducted by email.
Benefits of service (benefit value estimates will change for volunteers whose committee terms begin November 1, 2023): PCC members will receive reimbursement for actual round-trip coach/economy airfare to the Summit, subject to ACVS reimbursement policies, an estimated value of $700; reimbursement for hotel accommodations at the Summit headquarter hotels, or less expensive hotel, for Tuesday and Wednesday, a value of more than $300 per night, or approximately $600 total; and complimentary Surgery Summit registration, a value of $670.
Workload: Heavy. Program registration applications are reviewed late August–November. Monitoring program compliance and reviewing programs on probation occur throughout the year.
Term of service: Three years. Terms begin November 1 and end December 31.
Positions available in 2024: TBD
Prerequisite: PCC members must have been an ACVS Diplomate for a minimum of five years.
When to apply: March 2024

Responsibilities: The Resident Credentialing Committee (RCC) evaluates resident training logs, residency documentation, credentials applications, and applications for dual certification. The committee provides support and guidance to residents, residency program directors, and resident advisors, according to standards and procedures adopted by ACVS. The committee evaluates all applications for membership (credentials) in the College and makes recommendations to the Board of Regents. The committee makes recommendations for changes in program requirements to the Board in conjunction with the Residency Program Compliance Committee.
Committee meetings: At least one conference call per year.
Workload: Heavy. Resident logs are reviewed February–April; resident logs, credentials applications, and applications for dual certification are reviewed August–October.
Term of service: Four years. Terms begin November 1 and end December 31.
Positions available in 2024: TBD
Prerequisite: None
When to apply: March 2024

Responsibilities: Veterinary Surgery associate editors are primarily responsible for managing the review, editing, and publication of manuscripts submitted to Veterinary Surgery, including all revisions of assigned manuscripts, even those which may extend beyond the three-year term. Other responsibilities include assigning reviewers, synthesizing reviewer comments, providing editorial reviews, and making a recommendation to the editor-in-chief on the suitability of submissions for publication. The ability to participate in conference calls during the year is required. Associate editors receive an annual stipend. The position has a three-year, renewable term.
Committee meetings: At least one conference call.
Workload: Heavy. An estimated 25 manuscripts will be assigned each year, with an estimated commitment of two to four hours per manuscript reviewed and four to eight hours per manuscript edited.
Term of service: Three years. Terms begin November 1 and end October 31.
Positions available in 2024: TBD
Prerequisite: Must be familiar with the current scientific literature in minimally invasive surgery and fluent in scientific English. Preference given to those who have been an ACVS Diplomate for at least five years and have had previous service on the Veterinary Surgery Editorial Review Board or other peer-review and/or editorial experience.
When to apply: February 2024

Responsibilities: Veterinary Surgery Editorial Review Board members are responsible for reviewing manuscripts submitted to Veterinary Surgery, including all revisions of assigned manuscripts, even those that may extend beyond the three-year term. Members are expected to accept manuscript assignments and complete reviews with constructive feedback in a timely manner, ideally within two weeks of assignment.
Note: Volunteers who serve on the Editorial Review Board may also volunteer to serve on a committee or advisory group.
Committee meetings: None
Workload: Moderate to heavy. An estimated seven to nine manuscripts will be assigned each year.
Term of service: Three years. Terms begin November 1 and end October 31.
Positions available in 2024: TBD
Prerequisite: None; preference is given to those with experience in publishing or reviewing manuscripts on topics related to veterinary surgery. All volunteers are welcome; however, there is a particular need for the following areas of expertise: biomechanics; imaging and radiology; sports medicine/rehabilitation; epidemiology/statistics; 3D printing and implant testing; pharmacology/toxicology; kinetics/kinematic gait analysis; muscular/tendon diseases; soft tissue surgery; thoracic surgery; hepatic surgery and disease management; and spine and neurosurgery (including intracranial surgery).
When to apply: March 2024