AWS Membership Categories and Requirements
Eligibility
Physicians holding the M.D. or D.O. degrees, or their international equivalents, who identify themselves as surgeons are eligible for membership.
Categories
Regular: Regular membership is open to all surgeons. Regular members may vote and may hold office. Includes annual subscription to the American Journal of Surgery.
Resident: Resident membership is open to surgical interns, residents or fellows in training. Residents may vote and hold office.
Student: Student membership is open to all students in medical school with a career interest in surgery. Student members may not vote or hold office.
New Surgeon: Reduced membership is available to new surgeons (former Members-in-training) for their first two years out of residency or fellowship training. New Surgeon members may vote and hold office. Includes annual subscription to the American Journal of Surgery.
Lifetime: Lifetime membership is open to regular members only, with a one-time membership fee charge. All benefits of a regular member apply.
Emeritus: Emeritus membership is open to any regular AWS member who has maintained a membership for at least three years and who is going to be FULLY retired. Emeritus members may not vote or hold office. Emeritus membership must be accompanied with a letter of request for Emeritus status. Emeritus membership is granted by the AWS Council. Your request will be reviewed by the Council and you will be notified of approval.
Associate: Associate membership is open to any individual who does not qualify for Regular membership but is supportive of the mission of the Association. Associate members may not vote or hold office.
Institutional: Membership is available per institution. Each membership includes an unlimited number of AWS memberships for the residents enrolled in your residency program, advertising on the Website for faculty positions, and all other AWS member benefits. Please request and complete the Institutional Membership Application form.
Missionary: Membership is open to surgeons working as missionaries and is granted by the AWS Council. Missionary members may not vote or hold office. Applications must be accompanied with a letter of request for Missionary status. Requests will be reviewed by the Council and you will be notified of approval.
Applications
All applicants for membership shall complete and sign the appropriate form of application provided by AWS and submit it with any required dues payment.
Click here to join online.
Click here for an individual membership application (Word document), an institutional membership application (Word document), find out more about the benefits of membership or contact AWS for more information.
Those living outside of the United States and Canada can apply for an international membership, which is available based on financial need at different levels. All International memberships come with full AWS benefits, however, all communications will be sent electronically. See "Level" descriptions on page one of the international application. (Word document)
Membership in this organization is continuous with payment of all dues and assessments. Membership will be on an anniversary basis and may be renewed annually.