What Does FACS Mean?

Understanding the FACS Designation

Have you ever asked yourself, “What do the letters behind my doctor’s name mean?” As a patient, it’s important to understand these letters, or designations, held by your physician. They are clear indicators of specialty training and recognized excellence in their field and among their peers and colleagues. Understanding their meaning will help you choose the right physician for your care.

Important Initials: What Does FACS Mean?

If you have ever wondered what the “FACS” initials at the end of a surgeon’s name indicates, you are not alone. This post-nominal title indicates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a national association of surgeons founded in 1913 to establish high standards for the practice of surgery in the United States. The American College of Surgeons is the largest organization of surgeons in the world, with a membership of 82,000 as of 2021. Fellows of the ACS have met rigorous and higher standards in education, professionalism, surgical competence, and ethical conduct beyond board certification standards.

How does a surgeon become a Fellow?

To become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a surgeon must first be board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, one of the 24 boards in the American Board of Medical Specialties. The certification standards set forth by the American Board of Medical Specialties are widely regarded as the “gold standard” set of criteria for physicians in the United States.

The ABS offers board certification in the following surgical specialties:

• General surgery
• Vascular surgery
• Pediatric surgery
• Surgical critical care
• Complex general surgical oncology
• Surgery of the hand
• Hospice and palliative medicine

To become board-certified, a candidate must have completed their residency training, have obtained their medical license, and pass a written and/or oral examination. Vascular surgeons must first apply for certification and then pass both the written Vascular Surgery Qualifying Examination and the oral Vascular Surgery Certifying Examination, which evaluates the clinical qualifications of the surgeon.

Due to the ever-changing technological and clinical advancements in the field, vascular surgeons must pass the written Continuous Certification Assessment every other year to maintain certification.

For Fellowship consideration, a surgeon must:

• Voluntarily submit their surgical practice to comprehensive and detailed investigation and evaluation by high level peers
• Maintain a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine with no reportable action pending which could adversely affect their medical license
• Have no reportable action/s pending that could adversely affect hospital privileges
• Exemplify ethical fitness as well as professional proficiency
• Exhibit professional excellence as a surgeon and as a member of the surgical community, as demonstrated by participation and roles in continuing medical education, teaching programs, regional and national leadership, attending societal meetings, etc.
• Satisfy all other requirements set forth by the ACS Board of Regents

Dr. Hill has achieved all the requirements set forth by the American College of Surgeons and was awarded the Fellow of American College of Surgeons designation in 2007.

The importance of choosing a board-certified, FACS surgeon.

When seeking medical treatment, it is vital to consider whether your specialist is board certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). As today’s medical industry becomes more specialized and technologically advanced, board certification ensures that your specialist has met current standards of knowledge, ethics, and safety. While board certification is voluntary, it demonstrates a physician’s commitment to ensuring excellence in their field and optimal outcomes for their patients. FACS offers patients the assurance that their surgeon is recognized as achieving elevated, higher standards, above and beyond the board certification requirements.

We encourage all patients to check the credentials of any physician they are considering:
Check to see if your specialty surgeon is a FACS
Check if a surgeon is board certified

Dr. Bradley Hill is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in both General Surgery and Vascular Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. You can count on Dr. Hill to provide quality care informed by the latest advancements in the field of vascular surgery for you and your loved ones. 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hill, call 408-770-4455 or email us at frontdesk@hillvascular.com. We look forward to speaking with you. 

Feel like learning more? Here are some helpful links:

Learn more about FACS on their website
Frequently asked questions about board certification

_{Written by: Navaratna, Nidhi; Hill, Menee}