The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is a professional association of physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States. It is a 501(c)(3) organization with a membership of approximately 58,000 obstetrician-gynecologists and women's health care professionals. It was founded in 1951. A companion 501(c)(6) organization, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), was founded in 2008 and became operational in 2010. The two organizations coexist, and member individuals automatically belong to both. Both are not-for-profit. The College as a 501(c)(3) focuses on education (with limited political work), whereas the Congress as a 501(c)(6) is allowed to advocate for members' interests in terms of the business of medicine (BOM) through lobbying and other political work.
Physician members are referred to as fellows and use the post-nominal letters FACOG to indicate their status. To become a fellow, a candidate must become certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, an independent organization, and then nominated to the College by another fellow.
Obstetrics & Gynecology is the official publication of ACOG. It is popularly known as "The Green Journal". In 1986, the organization successfully challenged an anti-abortion law in Pennsylvania before the U.S. Supreme Court in Thornburgh v. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
References
External links
- Official ACOG website
- Green Journal website
