The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is a
professional association of
physicians specializing in
obstetrics
Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a surgi ...
and
gynecology
Gynaecology or gynecology (see spelling differences) is the area of medicine that involves the treatment of women's diseases, especially those of the reproductive organs. It is often paired with the field of obstetrics, forming the combined are ...
in the
United States. Several
Latin American countries are also represented within Districts of the organization. It is a
501(c)(3)
A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 50 ...
organization with a membership of more than 60,000 obstetrician-gynecologists and women's health care professionals. It was founded in 1951.
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Background
A companion 501(c)(6) organization, the American ''Congress'' of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 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
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
.
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.
Their main advocacy focuses on women's reproductive health, specifically opposing political interference in abortion access.
Physician members are referred to as
fellows Fellows may refer to Fellow, in plural form.
Fellows or Fellowes may also refer to:
Places
* Fellows, California, USA
* Fellows, Wisconsin, ghost town, USA
Other uses
* Fellows Auctioneers, established in 1876.
*Fellowes, Inc., manufacturer of wo ...
and use the
post-nominal letters
Post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials, post-nominal titles, designatory letters or simply post-nominals, are letters placed after a person's name to indicate that the individual holds a position, academic degree, accreditation, ...
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. Non ObGyn professionals may join as an Allied Health Professional, but must meet their standards of education.
''
Obstetrics & Gynecology'' is the official publication of ACOG. It is popularly known as "The Green Journal".
SCImago Journal and Country rank > Obstetrics and Gynecology
Retrieved on April 15, 2010 In 1986, the organization successfully challenged an anti-abortion law in Pennsylvania before the U.S. Supreme Court in ''''.[Greenhouse, Linda. ''Becoming Justice Blackmun''. Times Books. 2005. Page 183.]
References
External links
Official ACOG website
Green Journal website
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Congress Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists
1951 establishments in the United States
Abortion-rights organizations in the United States
Medical associations based in the United States
Medical and health organizations based in Washington, D.C.
Obstetrics and gynaecology organizations
Organizations established in 1951