Sharon M. Henry, MD, Appointed First Vice President-Elect of the American College of Surgeons

Sharon M. Henry, MD, FACS, the Anne Scalea Professor of Trauma Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and Director of the Division of Wound Healing and Metabolism at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, has been elected First Vice President-Elect of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The historic election, which took place on October 7 at the ACS Clinical Congress, marks the first time a Black woman has been appointed to this leadership position in the organization’s history.

She will assume the role of First Vice-President of ACS in September.

Dr. Henry’s appointment places her at the forefront of two major international surgical organizations simultaneously. In addition to her new role with the ACS, she is currently serving as the 2025-2026 President of the Panamerican Trauma Society, where she leads efforts to improve trauma care across the Americas.

“Both of these leadership roles reflect Dr. Henry’s unwavering commitment to surgical excellence, education, and advocacy,” said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor. “She is a pivotal figure at UMSOM who continues to shape the best practices of trauma care both nationally and internationally.”

Dr. Henry is widely recognized for excelling in clinical care, education, and research. As the Chief of the Division of Wound Healing and Metabolism since 2000, she has built an internationally recognized service dedicated to necrotizing soft tissue infections and complex wounds. Her clinical expertise draws patient transfers from across the region for the management of life-threatening necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI).

“The ACS has been central to my professional journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the surgical community that has shaped me,” said Dr. Henry. “I am extremely honored to assume this role and help advance the mission of the American College of Surgeons.”

She has also been extensively involved in updating and maintaining trauma training curricula. Dr. Henry served as Chair of the national ATLS Subcommittee from 2013 to 2018 and served as a member of the steering committee for the recently released 11th edition of the ATLS Student Course Manual, shaping how trauma care is taught globally. In Maryland, she is credited with revamping the state’s ATLS course into a national model and establishing several other surgical skills courses at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Henry’s career is defined by pioneering achievements. In 2000, she became the first African American woman inducted into the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). Her accolades include the ACS Committee on Trauma Meritorious Service Award, multiple Shock Trauma Hero Awards, and the 2023 Dean’s Alumni Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

“Dr. Henry embodies the very best of academic trauma medicine — a deep dedication to advancing patient care and to training the next generation of surgeons," said Thomas Scalea, MD, Shock Trauma’s Physician-In-Chief, The Honorable Francis X. Kelly Distinguished Professor of Trauma Surgery at UMSOM and Chief for Critical Care Services at the University of Maryland Medical System. "Under her leadership, we’ve built a wound program that is internationally recognized for outstanding clinical outcomes and innovation. In addition to her expertise in a growing, highly specialized discipline, Dr. Henry’s integrity and humility have earned her the respect of colleagues across every level of our field.”

A longtime faculty member of UMSOM, Dr. Henry has served the institution for three decades. She is a 1985 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed her surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Minnesota. She additionally serves on Board of Managers for the American Board of Wound Medicine and Surgery.