Association for Academic Surgery Founder's Lecture - Addressing the Surgical Workforce Crisis: Retention Strategies...

The United States is projected to have a shortage of 10,000 to 19,900 surgeons by 2036, driven by our growing population, an aging surgical workforce, and rising attrition among both practicing surgeons and trainees. Dr. Turner's Founders Lecture at the 2025 American Surgical Congress addresses this surgical workforce crisis by outlining both the origins and current status of the surgeon shortage, while offering an aspirational and achievable vision for expanding our workforce. This address emphasizes the importance of focusing on retention, not just recruitment of surgeons. Through targeted, strategic action and collaboration across national surgical societies, surgeons can be supported, valued, and retained.