Founded in 1951, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College) is the specialty's premier professional membership organization dedicated to the improvement of women’s health. With more than 58,000 members, the College is a 501(c)(3) organization and its activities include producing the College's practice guidelines and other educational material.
The College's companion organization, The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), is a 501(c)(6) organization that became operational January 1, 2010, and focuses on socioeconomic, political, and grievance activities for its members. The College and the Congress are two separate and distinct legal entities.
Fellows of ACOG are board certified ob-gyns whose professional activities are devoted to the practice of obstetrics and/or gynecology, who possess unrestricted licenses to practice medicine, and have attained high ethical and professional standing. Fellows of ACOG can be recognized by the designation of
FACOG (Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) after the physician’s name. There are also several other categories of
membership.
ACOG Mission, Vision and Core Values
Operational Mission Statement
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is a membership organization dedicated to the advancement of women’s health care and the professional and socioeconomic interests of its members through continuing medical education, practice, research, and advocacy.
Vision Statement
The Congress, as the premier organization for obstetricians and gynecologists and providers of women’s health care, will provide the highest quality education worldwide, continuously improve health care for women through practice and research, lead advocacy for women’s health care issues nationally and internationally, and provide excellent organizational support and services for their members.
Core Values
As an organization dedicated to the advancement of women’s health care and the betterment of their membership, they value:
Access for all women to high quality safe health care
Professionalism to their membership as manifested in high ethical standards, collegiality, communication, mentoring, leadership development, diversity and life-long learning
Scholarship in medical science through health research and education
Advocacy for women and their members in their role as the authority on the specialty and on women’s health information for patients, providers, organizations and governments
