Membership

Qualifications: Active Membership in The Society is limited to physicians and other scientists who have a major professional interest and commitment to oncology, as demonstrated by a combination of the following activities:

1. Criteria for Surgeons: 

1A. Certification by the American Board of Surgery or an equivalent surgical specialty Board or membership in a recognized national or international surgical or surgical oncologic society. 

1B.Evidence of continuing commitment to Surgical Oncology as demonstrated by such activities as: 
• Oncologic teaching or research. 
• Involvement in activities of the American Cancer Society. 
• Involvement in activities of the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. 
• A leadership role in hospital or community cancer activities. 
• Authorship of publications on topics pertaining to Oncology in peer-reviewed medical journals. 
• Membership in other oncologic societies. 

 2. Non-Surgical Oncologists: Must be an acknowledged expert in a non-surgical field who has made significant contributions to Surgical Oncology or any scientist with a doctoral level degree, not in clinical practice, doing research in cancer or a cancer-related field.

Dues Rate –
Active Members – (US) – $595*
(A one-time $150 non-refundable initiation fee is also required with the application.)
*Includes a subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced annual meeting registration fees.

Qualifications: Active Membership in The Society is limited to physicians and other scientists who have a major professional interest and commitment to oncology, as demonstrated by a combination of the following activities:

1. Criteria for Surgeons:

1A. Certification by the American Board of Surgery or an equivalent surgical specialty Board or membership in a recognized national or international surgical or surgical oncologic society.

1B. Evidence of continuing commitment to Surgical Oncology as demonstrated by such activities as: 
• Oncologic teaching or research.
• Involvement in activities of the American Cancer Society.
• Involvement in activities of the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
• A leadership role in hospital or community cancer activities.
• Authorship of publications on topics pertaining to Oncology in peer-reviewed medical journals.
• Membership in other oncologic societies.

2. Non-Surgical Oncologists:
• Must be an acknowledged expert in a non-surgical field who has made significant contributions to Surgical Oncology or any scientist with a doctoral level degree, not in clinical practice, doing research in cancer or a cancer-related field.

Dues Rate –
Active International Members:
• High-Income Countries – $345*
• Middle-Income and Low-Income Countries – $207*
(Reduced dues rate based on World Bank Classification.)
*Includes a subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced annual meeting registration fees.

Qualifications: Advanced Practice Provider and Associate Membership in the Society shall be limited to any non-physician health care provider (e.g., nurse clinician, physician assistant) who is involved in surgical oncology patient care.

Rights: An Advanced Practice Provider and Associate Member shall have the right to attend, participate in and submit abstracts for presentation at meetings of the Society.

Dues Rate –
Advanced Practice Provider and Associate Members – $100* 
*Includes subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced annual meeting registration fees.

Qualifications: Membership in the Candidate Group in The Society is limited to surgical trainees or surgeons who meet ABS requirements for certification or hold membership in a recognized international surgical or surgical oncologic society, and who meet one of the following:

1. Must be in training, in a fellowship training program; or

2. Must have completed their surgical training, but have not yet become Board-Certified.

3.  If elected, the candidate member may remain in the Candidate Group for up to two (2) years post fellowship. After that time, the Candidate will advance to Active Membership.

For 2 above, an applicant must submit a completed membership application along with a  letter of recommendation from the training program director of the applicant’s career interest in oncology.

A Candidate Member shall have the right to attend, participate in and submit abstracts for presentation at meetings of The Society, and the right to serve on a committee as appointed by the President of the Society. 

Dues Rate – 
Candidate Members (Fellow-in-training) – $150*
Candidate Members (Post Fellowship) – $275*
*Includes subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced meeting registration fees.

Qualifications: Resident and Medical Student Membership in The Society is limited to Residents and Medical Students who meet one of the following requirements:

1. Must be a surgical resident in a surgical residency program approved by the Accreditation  Council for Graduate Medical Education, or accredited by an appropriate oversight body; or

2. Must be a student enrolled in an accredited medical school at a college or university.

3. If elected, the Resident Member will remain a Resident Member through completion of surgical  training and then be required to apply for Candidate Membership.

For the above, an applicant must submit a completed membership application along with a letter of recommendation from the current training program director or an Active Member of the SSO in a  leadership position at the medical school of the applicant’s career interest in oncology

A Resident Member or Medical Student Member shall have the right to attend meetings of The Society.

Dues Rate – 
Resident or Medical Student Members (Surgical Residency Program/Enrolled in an accredited medical School) – $60*
*Includes subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced meeting registration fees.

Qualifications: International Student Membership in The Society is limited to physicians in training (International Medical Students, Residents and Fellows) who meet one of the following requirements:

1. Must be an international surgical resident or fellow in a surgical residency or fellowship program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, or accredited by an appropriate oversight body; or

2. Must be an international student enrolled in an accredited medical school at a college or university.

3. If elected, the International Student Member will remain a International Student Member through completion of surgical  training or fellowship then be required to apply for an Active International Membership.

For the above, an applicant must submit a completed membership application which would include training information, education information along with a current CV.

An International Student Member shall have the right to attend meetings of The Society.

Dues Rate – *No Cost
International Student Members (Surgical Residency Program/Fellow Enrolled in an accredited medical School) 
*Includes subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced meeting registration fees.

Qualifications: Emeritus Membership in The Society is an option for those Active Members who have reached the age of 70 and/or are no longer in active practice. The Executive Council may recommend Emeritus Membership status at a younger age under unusual circumstances. New candidates for Emeritus membership must meet one or more of the following:

1. Be a retired physician or scientist no longer in active practice or research of medicine

2. Have reached the age of 70 or over

Dues Rate –
Emeritus Members – $75*
*Includes a subscription to the Society’s electronic journal, SSO News, and reduced annual meeting registration fees.