Academy of Clerkship Directors

The role of Surgical Clerkship Director is challenging, important and deserving of special recognition. The ASE Academy of Clerkship Directors was established to recognize Surgery Clerkship Directors for their commitment to excellence in undergraduate surgical education. This is demonstrated by membership and involvement in the ASE, participation in faculty development around undergraduate education, years involved in surgical education and scholarly activity. In addition, receiving “Fellow” Certification may allow Clerkship Directors to obtain more resources and other support for educational endeavors, improving the overall quality of surgical education. Certification and Membership attests to leadership, experience and expertise while Academy Mentor designation recognizes those educators who demonstrate additional commitment to serve as role-models and mentors to other clerkship directors and surgical educators.

Verification of credentials for Academy membership will be determined by an Oversight Committee (OC) under the direction of the ASE Board of Directors (BOD). The OC will be composed of the last two CD Committee (CDC) Chairs, the current CDC Chair and Vice-Chair, a Senior member (nominated by OC and appointed by ASE BOD) and a BOD Representative, currently the ASE Secretary. Upon submission of the initial application, “Candidate” status is given to the applicant. Once verification by the OC that all criteria are met, “Fellow” status is conveyed to the member. Certificates documenting Fellowship in the Academy of Clerkship Directors will be awarded biannually at the CD Committee meetings held during the ASE meeting and at the annual ACS Clinical Congress.  “Master” status is achieved after two successful 5-year recertification cycles and/or at the discretion of the OC. Designated “Master” educators must be willing to mentor more junior CDs.

Academy members are encouraged to participate as speakers for the Trouble Shooting your Clerkship Course and engage in other activities (workshops at ASE annual meeting, collaboration with the ACS, selected projects) of the Clerkship Directors Committee and the ASE.