Lawrence Lottenberg, MD FACS admitted into American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators®

Lawrence Lottenberg, MD FACS, a Trauma and Acute Care surgeon from the Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University is among a group of 103 esteemed surgeon educators inducted into membership in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators^® on September 19, 2025, during a program event in Chicago. This is the eighth cohort of members inducted into this distinguished Academy.

Dr. Lottenberg was inducted as Associate Member of this highly coveted Academy. He is the current Chairman and Interim Program Director of the Department of Surgery in the College of Medicine and serves as a Professor of Surgery at Florida Atlantic University.

Dr. Lottenberg is a dedicated surgeon educator whose experience in the field includes organizing and directing two Level I trauma centers in Florida, one at Memorial Healthcare and the other at UF Health Shands Hospital at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Currently he chairs the surgery department at Florida Atlantic University and is responsible for the training and education of forty surgical residents with fifty surgical faculty at five hospitals in Palm Beach County. He is the former Director of Trauma Research at St. Mary's Medical Center, a Level I trauma center. He has been the past president of the Florida Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Lottenberg has mentored over 250 surgeons in training and is responsible for 50 trainees matriculating in trauma careers at multiple trauma centers nationally.

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 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.