Thomas Scalea, MD, inducted into American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators

Thomas M. Scalea, MD, the Honorable Francis X. Kelly Distinguished Professor of Trauma Surgery and Director of the Program in Trauma at the University of Maryland School of Medicine was inducted into the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators during an event in Chicago held on September 19.

Dr. Scalea, who is also Physician-in-Chief at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, is among a group of 103 esteemed surgeon educators who were inducted this year into membership in this distinguished Academy.

“I’m incredibly honored to be inducted into the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators,” said Dr. Scalea. “As a trauma surgeon and leader of our shock trauma center, I’ve spent my career trying to save lives by making the right decisions at crucial moments and, just as importantly, teaching others how to do the same. This recognition affirms my belief that surgical excellence is not only about technical skill, but about passing that knowledge forward with purpose, humility, and compassion."

Dr. Scalea is a world-renowned surgeon educator whose experience in the field includes trauma and critical care surgery. As Physician-in-Chief of the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, he leads the only freestanding trauma center in the nation which cares for more than 8,000 critically injured patients annually with a remarkable 96 percent survival rate. His commitment to education also drives the Program in Trauma at the UM School of Medicine, which is the only multidisciplinary, dedicated physician group practice that cares for injury in the United States. This premier program is dedicated to improving the care of patients with traumatic injury by developing basic and clinical research and providing educational experiences for medical students, residents, and fellows, as well as for nurses and other healthcare providers. It is internationally renowned for the most coveted fellowship opportunities, including Surgical Critical Care, Acute Care Surgery, Trauma Anesthesiology, Extracorporeal Life Support and Orthopaedic Trauma. With a commitment to advancing military medicine, Dr. Scalea also founded the programs Center for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS), which has trained over 4,000 U.S. Air Force personnel prior to their deployment into war.

"In the high-stakes world of trauma surgery, mastery is not just measured by skill in the operating room, but by the ability to teach, inspire, and elevate others,” said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, Dean of UMSOM who is also the Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor. “As one of the nation’s top trauma surgeons, Dr. Scalea has not only saved countless lives but has shaped the future of surgical excellence through unwavering dedication to education. His induction into the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is a testament to a career defined by leadership, compassion, and an enduring commitment to the art and science of healing".

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. This year’s class includes Members (56 Inductees), Associate Members (42 Inductees), and Affiliate Members (5 Inductees). The first inaugural class was inducted in 2018 and the Academy has since grown to include 458 Members, Associate Members, and Affiliate Members who represent thirteen surgical specialties other than general surgery. Inductees are from 32 states and the District of Columbia. They come from nine countries in addition to those from the United States.

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, Senior Vice President 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. With this year’s induction ceremony, the Academy will include 64 international members, representing 25 countries outside of the U.S.

“The Academy of Master Surgeon Educators continues to be a dynamic force, driving the evolution of surgical education through the dedication and expertise of its members,” said L.D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, FCCM, FRCSEng(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCS(SA)(Hon), FRCS(Glasg)(Hon), MAMSE, Past President of the ACS, and Co-Chair of the Academy. “As we welcome the 2025 class of exceptional educators, we reaffirm our commitment to shaping the future of surgical training and setting new educational benchmarks that ultimately enhance patient care and outcomes.”

To learn more about the Academy of Master Surgeon Educations, please visit the Academy’s homepage.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

The University of Maryland School of Medicine, established in 1807 as the first public medical school in the U.S., continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world.  The School has nearly $500 million total research funding, 46 departments, centers, and institutes, more than 2,200 student trainees and over 3,000 faculty members, including notable members of the National Academy of Medicine.  As the largest public medical school in the DC/MD/VA region, faculty-physicians are working to help patients manage chronic diseases like obesity, cancer, heart disease and addiction, while also working on cutting-edge research to address the most critical generational health challenges. In 2024, the School ranked #12 among public medical schools and #27 among all medical schools for R&D expenditures by the National Science Foundation. With a $1.3 billion total operating budget, the School partners with the University of Maryland Medical Center to serve nearly 2 million patients annually. The School's global reach extends around the world with research and treatment facilities in 33 countries.  In Maryland, the School of Medicine is spearheading new initiatives in AI and health computing and partnering with the University of Maryland BioPark to develop new medical technologies and bioengineering ventures. For more information, visit medschool.umaryland.edu.

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has approximately 90,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. "FACS" designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.