The Complex General Surgical Oncology Board (CGSOB) of the American Board of Surgery (ABS) is seeking one to two director nominees to serve a six-year term beginning September 29, 2025. The CGSOB comprises approximately 15 members that represent the spectrum of complex general surgical oncology and are responsible for both initial and continued board certification in complex general surgical oncology by the ABS. Accordingly, the CGSOB is responsible for the Complex General Surgical Oncology Qualifying Examination (CGSO QE), the Complex General Surgical Oncology Certifying Examination (CGSO CE), and the Complex General Surgical Oncology Continuous Certification Assessment (CGSO CCA).
Directors will participate in developing the various examinations and administering the annual oral examination (CGSO CE), in addition to focusing on the CGSOB’s current priorities and initiatives.
Directors must be currently certified in complex general surgical oncology. The time commitment is approximately 10 days per year including the oral examination, examination reviews, and biannual retreats, in addition to the various specialty board responsibilities.
The CGSOB utilizes a competency-based selection process to optimize its performance. Accordingly, individuals with one or more of the following competencies are sought:
- Active ABS certification in complex general surgical oncology
- Previous experience serving as a volunteer to the ABS
- Experience in a broad-based community practice setting for surgical oncology
- Expertise in the specialty areas of breast surgery, and/or melanoma and sarcoma surgery
- Experience as an examiner for the CGSO CE
- Experience in assessment or novel educational strategies
- Experience in training CGSO fellows
Emphasis will be placed on varied experience across all dimensions, including practice type, practice focus, geographic location, professional experience, and time in practice, among others.
Nominees will be accepted from societies, peers, or self-nomination. All nominations will require completion of the Nominate/Support Form from an ABMS-certified physician. Both the nominator and nominee forms must be completed for each candidate by 4:00pm ET on Monday, June 16, 2025. Please use the links below to access the nominator and nominee forms.
- CGSOB Director Nomination (to be completed by individuals who are nominating a colleague)
- CGSOB Director Application (to be completed by individuals who are submitting a self-nomination)
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