2026 ACVS call for volunteers now open
The College and its work are sustained by its volunteers. Are you interested in becoming actively involved? The call for volunteers is now open!
The College and its work are sustained by its volunteers. Are you interested in becoming actively involved? The call for volunteers is now open!
ACVS Nominating Committee Chair Jan Hawkins, DVM, DACVS, recently announced the annual call for nominations for president-elect and regents. The deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 5 pm (ET). Dr. Hawkins’ message, sent on Wednesday February 25, 2026, explained the responsibilities, commitment, and the nomination process of the president-elect and regents elected this year […]
ACVS seeks six Diplomates to serve as members and officers on the proposed Certification Council. Experience on a certification committee is required. Applications for Diplomate members and a public member are being accepted. Onboarding meetings will be held in the fall with terms beginning January 1, 2027, pending a successful vote on the proposed ACVS […]
The College continues to make progress toward updating training and certification as part of the 2022–2027 ACVS Strategic Plan. The Board of Regents (BOR) has accepted a proposal to develop a new examination structure that will combine the Phase II practical and case-based sections into one examination. A working group was recently formed to fully […]
ACVS Diplomates continue to support the College strategic objective to raise the importance of the veterinary surgery specialty among primary care veterinarians. Working with the ACVS Communication Committee, Diplomates recently contributed three new articles to the dvm360 newsletter, an initiative that has been ongoing for many years. Large Animal Managing equine back pain The challenges […]
Over the last few months, ACVS has highlighted necessary and suggested Constitution and Bylaws amendments that support the proposed governance change. The following proposed updates and additions to the membership section of the bylaws facilitate the separation of certification from membership and aim to provide additional operational flexibility in the new governance structure. Defining membership eligibility As part of the proposed bylaws, ACVS is taking a streamlined and consistent approach to defining […]
Diplomates are encouraged to consider two leadership opportunities. In February, ACVS will call for nominations for president-elect and regents and call for applications for Certification Council (council) positions. Appointment to the council is contingent upon ACVS membership approval in the coming months of the proposed bylaws that would establish the council. ACVS will begin the application process before the membership vote to allow prospective council members to plan to […]
ACVS recently added an additional six new Small Animal Health Topics. Angular Limb Deformity (ALD) in Dogs Femoral Capital Physeal Fractures Glossectomy Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Prophylactic Gastropexy Tibial Fractures in Growing Dogs Find a board-certified veterinary surgeon near you.
ACVS is saddened to share the passing of two Diplomates in recent months. Diplomate R. John Berg passed away in October 2025. No further information is available at this time. Diplomate Robert J. Hunt passed away on October 9, 2025.
The live question-and-answer session during the recent Diplomates’ town hall session at the Surgery Summit raised several important questions about the proposed new governance structure. Members were particularly interested in how the financial separation between the Certification Council and the Board of Regents would work since the Board of Regents will retain fiduciary responsibility for […]
