ACVS is seeking volunteers for the Continuing Education (CE) Committee subcommittees, abstract reviewers, and discussants.

Beginning in 2025, the large and small animal, scientific program, and allied medicine and contemporary topics (AMCT) subcommittees will be changed to orthopedic/neurology and soft tissue subcommittees. This change has been made to enhance coordination throughout the committee, align educational content, and best serve the needs of ACVS Diplomates and residents. Volunteers do not need to be an orthopedic or soft tissue specialist; select the subcommittee you are most interested in joining. ACVS seeks Diplomates who are team-oriented, responsive, and deadline-driven.

The CE Committee is comprised of four subcommittees: orthopedic/neurology, soft tissue, laboratories, and digital learning. The CE Committee call for volunteers seeks:

Digital Learning

• 1 Small Animal Diplomate

Laboratories

• 1 Small Animal Diplomate

Orthopedic/Neurology       

• 1 Small Animal Diplomate

Soft Tissue

• 2 Large Animal Diplomates
• 1 Small Animal Diplomate

Residents' Forum discussants

Scientific Abstract Reviewers

CE Committee subcommittee members

Responsibilities: The orthopedic/neurology and soft tissue subcommittees select seminar topics and seminar chairs for the Surgery Summit, review previous Surgery Summit evaluations, select chairs for abstract reviews, oversee the abstract review and scheduling process, and assist with speaker support as needed. The laboratory subcommittee organizes laboratories that occur the day prior to the start of the Surgery Summit. The digital learning subcommittee organizes approximately 12 webinars per year.

Committee meetings: Each year, four CE Committee meetings are held: a virtual winter introductory meeting, 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. CE Committee members receive complimentary Surgery Summit registration. Additional meetings are scheduled as needed.

Workload: Year-round.

Term of service: Subcommittee members will serve three years beginning February 2025.

Abstract reviewers

The CE Committee is also seeking ACVS Diplomates to review and score scientific abstracts May 3–31, 2025. Each reviewer may be responsible for reviewing up to 50 abstracts. Abstract reviewers receive a $200 discount on Surgery Summit registration. Scientific abstract reviewers earn two maintenance of certification activity points per term of service. Residents’ Forum abstract reviewers and poster reviewers also serve as on-site judges and receive complimentary Surgery Summit registration.

Discussants

The CE Committee is seeking Diplomates to serve as discussants during the Residents' forums, October 24, 2025, at the Surgery Summit in Seattle, WA. The role of the discussant is to initiate discussion of their assigned resident’s abstract. Abstracts will be assigned in September 2025. Discussants receive a discounted Surgery Summit registration.

Implicit bias training requirement: Once within each term of volunteer service, ACVS volunteers are required to complete implicit bias training or indicate they have within the prior three years participated in implicit bias training required by their practice setting or other organization.

Deadline to volunteer: December 11, 2024. All CE Committee volunteers will be notified by January 17, 2025, about their appointment status. Scientific abstract reviewers will be notified in April 2025. Discussants will be notified in September 2025.