Committees

Members of over 30 Committees contribute to ACOG activities and develop clinical documents.

General Principles for ACOG Committees

The committees of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) are created or abolished and their overall function defined by the Board of Directors. Appointments are made for one year, with the understanding that such appointment may be continued for a total of three years. Most committee members are Fellows, but Junior Fellows are also eligible for appointment. Some committees may have representatives from other organizations and a public member when particularly appropriate to committee activities. The president elect appoints committee members annually. The name in parentheses after the committee description is the staff vice president or executive officer responsible for the activities of the committee.

The College uses the following guidelines and principles for committees, panels, boards and subcommittees appointed by the president elect.

Every committee requires Fellows and Junior Fellows who can provide leadership within the committee and the College. Consideration of leadership development and ability is part of the nomination/appointment process.
Diversity by ethnicity, gender and geography is desired.
No more than two individuals from a district generally will serve on a committee.
Except by virtue of being ex officio or liaison on a committee, generally no Fellow may serve on more than one standing committee.
Membership on a committee is for a one-year term except for "young physician (YP)" members; however, individuals may be reappointed for up to three one-year terms. If an individual is selected as chair of the committee, the length of service may extend up to two additional years.
"Young physician" members are ACOG members who have been Fellows for eight or fewer years. The term of office for young physicians on committees will be two years with no reappointment as the "young physician." They may be considered for regular appointments to the same or other committees at the end of their two-year term.
Should a vacancy occur, the individual filling the vacancy will serve for the remainder of that term and will be eligible for reappointment.
The committee chair must have an active medical license.
Each standing committee should have a vice chair.
Any member of a committee who misses two consecutive meetings or only partially attends two meetings will be subject to replacement.

Rotation for Committee Service

As the general principles state, membership on a committee is for a one-year term; however, individuals may be reappointed for up to three years unless there is a membership term by policy. Continued committee service is dependent upon satisfactory performance of duties. If selected as chair, a committee member may serve up to two additional years.

Membership Criteria for Panels, Committees and Subcommittees

When the president elect selects members for the various committees, panels, boards and subcommittees, the following guidelines will be used to assist in the selection process. The number of committee members is in parentheses. Ex officio and liaison members are excluded from this number. The composition of several committees is determined by Board action; these committees are identified by the word “Board” in parentheses. The committees are listed in alphabetical order.

Committee Member Expectations

Serving on an ACOG Committee is tremendously rewarding and challenging. Learn about the expectations inherent in committee membership.

Learn More

Committee Descriptions

The ACOG Online Learning in Ob-Gyn Advisory Committee will serve as a panel of experts and assist in the writing, editing, and review of the online module product (hybrid between PROLOG and Precis). The members help establish and maintain editorial policy and oversee the development of the module units. Members provide editorial and content direction and review the manuscripts to ensure continuity and consistency of each unit and the program overall. The committee also evaluates the program to ensure quality control and educational value. (Jennifer Walsh)

Membership Criteria (3):
1. Senior member of the College
2. Prior PROLOG experience (primarily an obstetrician or gynecologist)
3. Prior Precis experience (primarily an obstetrician or gynecologist)
The Committee on American Indian/Alaska Native Women’s Health serves a consulting role to the Indian Health Service (IHS), which is part of the U.S. Public Health Service, and to other providers of health care to American Indian/Alaska Native women. Members' knowledge of Indian health issues is based on their past experience, as well as on site visits conducted by the committee. A three-day site visit to an IHS area is conducted each year; a second meeting is one to two days in length. Team leaders on site visits write detailed reports and recommendations for their teams following the visit. Team members contribute to and review these reports. Other writing assignments are minimal. Other duties of members between meetings include follow up with an assigned IHS area and designated individuals within that area and submission of area reports twice a year. The committee provides oversight in other activities including, review of reports (and some years, observation of course activities) of the annual postgraduate course for IHS personnel. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (5 + 3 YPs):
1. Experience with Native American medicine and/or
2. Prior uniformed service experience
3. Preferential consideration for Native American ob-gyns
4. May serve four years
The Appeals Panel Committee is responsible for all appeals of Grievance Committee Hearing Panel decisions. Appeals of hearing panel decisions will be considered by an Appeals Panel appointed from Appeals Panel Committee members. Members of the Appeals Panel Committee are selected only from former Board of Directors members and former Grievance Committee members. The Appeals Panel Committee is required to have at least six former district chairs as members. (Molly Meegan, JD)

Membership Criteria (14):
1. Must be former Executive Board member or former Grievance Committee member
2. At least six former district chairs
3. May serve three years with the potential for reappointment for two additional years
The Audit Committee is responsible for the relationship with the College and the ACOG Foundation’s external and internal financial auditors. The Audit Committee develops the scope and emphasis of audit engagements in conjunction with recommendations from the auditors. The auditors report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised of two members of the Committee on Finance and one independent financial expert. (Rob Batarla, MBA, CPA)

Membership Criteria (Board) (3):
1. Chair, representative from the Committee on Finance (not a district chair)
2. Treasurer
3. A public member who is a financial expert
The Committee on Bylaws maintains the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the ACOG Foundation Bylaws. The committee considers proposals for bylaws amendments that may be submitted from time to time by the President, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and/or the Chief Executive Officer, and ensures that motions presented to, and passed by, the Board of Directors are in agreement with other current bylaws and with other laws and regulations governing 501(c)(6) and 501(c)(3) organizations. The Secretary of the College and the ACOG Foundation serves as chair of the committee. The committee also consists of two current district chairs and one young physician-at-large. The Committee on Bylaws meets before the February Board of Directors meetings. The Secretary schedules committee meetings or conference calls as needed when there are Bylaws revisions for review and discussion. (Molly Meegan, JD)

Membership Criteria (Board) (4)
1. Secretary will serve as chair
2. Two district chairs will serve in sequential order; will rotate on and off annually
3. One Young Physician-at-Large will serve for a minimum of one full year
There are two Clinical Document Review Panels; one in obstetrics and one in gynecology. The Clinical Document Review Panels review clinical documents that are developed by College Practice Activities Division committees before submission to the Board of Directors. The review is to ensure concurrence with College policy and scientific accuracy. The Obstetric and Gynecologic Panels will review obstetric or gynecologic Clinical Practice Guidelines, Clinical Consensus, and Practice Advisory documents respectively. The panels' work is conducted by email. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Clinical Document Review Panel-Gynecology Membership Criteria (8)
1. A minimum of one each of the following:
  1. Oncologist
  2. Reproductive endocrinologist
  3. Urogynecologist
2. At least two specialists in obstetrics and gynecology
3. Prior committee experience required
Clinical Document Review Panel-Obstetrics Membership Criteria (8):
1. A minimum of one each of the following:
  1. Maternal-fetal medicine ob-gyn
  2. Geneticist ob-gyn
  3. Ob-gyn in infectious diseases
2. At least two specialists in obstetrics and gynecology
3. Prior committee experience required
The Compensation Committee recommends all cash and non-cash compensation for all employees and any “disqualified person” as defined by the College and the ACOG Foundation Board of Directors. This includes salaries, honoraria, bonuses, pensions, health insurance, and severance pay. All contracts for staff vice presidents are subject to review by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is comprised of the national Treasurer, chair of the Committee on Finance, one past president not on the Committee on Finance or Board of Directors, two members of the Committee on Finance not district chairs, and three former district chairs, one of whom must be in private practice. (Rob Batarla, MBA, CPA)

Membership Criteria (Board) (7):
1. Chair of the Committee on Finance as chair and serves a four-year term
2. Treasurer is an ex officio member (term will change as necessary)
3. A College past president who is not on the Committee on Finance or the Board of Directors (may serve four years)
4. Two members of the Committee on Finance who are not district chairs (term will last as long as they are on the Committee on Finance)
5. Three past district chairs who are not currently serving on the Committee on Finance or the Board of Directors (may serve four years), at least one of whom must be in private practice
The Committee on Continuing Medical Education (CCME) establishes policies and monitors procedures for all ACOG CME activities. The committee ensures that these activities adhere to the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), and requirements of other regulatory agencies. The College provides CME credits for activities that have been developed by other organizations that apply for joint providership status. Voting members of the CCME are appointed by their districts. Liaison members of the committee are appointed by their respective organizations and approved by the ACOG incoming President. The CCME Chair, vice chair, and young physician members are appointed by the ACOG incoming President. The committee meets face-to-face once a year, in the fall, and convenes for a second meeting, via conference call, in the summer. Committee members must be included in the planning of CME activities and this must be documented on all CME applications. The CCME reviews (for approval) CME applications for all CME activities. In addition, committee members evaluate CME activities approved by the College. Members are required to attend the Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting to review courses as on-site peer reviewers. Before attending their first committee meeting as functioning participants, members are required to attend an ACCME Accreditation Workshop to better understand the CME Accreditation Process. (AnnaMarie Connolly, MD)

Membership Criteria (12 District Reps + 1 BOD + 2 YPs +2 Liaison member)
1. Actively involved in continuing medical education activities in ob-gyn for the hospital, medical school or for the College at the section, district or national level
2. Includes ex officio members from the Board of Directors as well as a liaison member from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and past ACCME Board Member
3. Includes 2 At-Large Members who are former young physician members of the Committee on Scientific Program
4. Terms are 3 years and must be recommended by incoming district chairs elect
5. District Representative terms begin at the conclusion of annual district meetings
6. Chair and vice chair of committee to be appointed by president elect for 2-year term
7. Chair, vice chair and young physician member terms begin at the conclusion of the annual meeting
The Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) was established to address the needs of residency program directors. CREOG, a council of the College, provides an array of services designed to facilitate and promote excellence in residency education. CREOG brings together representatives from its member organizations, five regional representatives, and two Junior Fellow representatives. Ex-officio members include representatives from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc (ABOG), the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG), the Association of Program Managers in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APMOG) Association of Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology (APOG), the Federacion Mexicana de Associaciones de Ginecologia y Obstetricia, Federation of Central American Ob-Gyn Societies, and the Residency Review Committee (RRC). (AnnaMarie Connolly, MD)

Membership Criteria (CREOG):
1. Council members are nominated by their representative organizations
The mission of the CREOG Education Committee is to support the residency program directors by providing educational resources, assessment tools and faculty development enabling them to promote excellence in resident education in obstetrics and gynecology. Members are associated with an accredited residency, or approved subspecialty fellowship training program, with general or special expertise in ob-gyn postgraduate education; and, or appointed because of special or general expertise in specific area(s) in development. The committee meets three times annually prior to the CREOG-APGO Annual Meeting, prior to the CREOG Education Retreat and in December. The Chair and the Vice-Chair of the CREOG Council, the Chair of the Program Directors’ School, and the CREOG Program Chair will be ex-officio members of the Education Committee. (AnnaMarie Connolly, MD)

Membership Criteria (10 + 2 YPs)
1. Chair serves 3 years.
2. Members serve 3 years
3. Young Physician serves 2 years
The CREOG Examination Committee is responsible for the development and review of questions used on the resident in-training examination in obstetrics and gynecology. Members are all resident educators associated with an ACGME accredited residency education program who have special expertise in areas of generalist and specialty practice covered by the Educational Objectives. The committee meets in October annually and works on assigned item writing tasks between April – December. (AnnaMarie Connolly, MD)

Membership Criteria (16 + 2 YPs)
1. Broad general content expertise
2. Item writing expertise desired
3. Ensure that all subspecialties are represented
4. May serve 4 years
The Committee on Credentials and Membership meets three or four times a year in conjunction with the ACOG Board of Directors meetings. Membership on this committee is predetermined by Board of Directors action. Under the current College Bylaws, the committee reviews and acts upon all applications for membership on which adverse actions have been reported, and makes specific recommendations regarding such applications to the Board of Directors. The committee may also recommend eligibility requirements for membership in all categories in accordance with College Bylaws and actions of the Board of Directors. Little time commitment beyond the formal meetings is expected. (DJ Johnson, IOM, CAE, FASAE)

Membership Criteria (Board) (6)
1. Assistant Secretary as chair
2. Immediate Past President
3. 4 current district chairs, on a rotating basis (at least one district chair from each 3-year grouping to assure 3-year continuity)
The Committee on Ethics identifies, evaluates, and publishes documents that provide best practice recommendations regarding ethical issues that affect the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology. Recommendations are developed via consensus of expert opinion and are based on the principles outlined in the codes of ethics of ACOG and the American Medical Association. The committee evaluates existing Ethics documents routinely to ensure that the information is current and accurate. The committee also reviews and responds to ethical questions from ACOG Fellows and others. Liaisons from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Society for Maternal‒Fetal Medicine, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology participate in the committee's activities. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (10 + 1 BOD + 2 YPs + 1 Public Member)
1. At least 2 specialists in obstetrics and gynecology
2. At least 2 medical ethicists
3. Education (eg, fellowship) and/or experience in ethics (eg, service on hospital ethics committee)
4. Two Young Physicians
5. One public member
The Ethics Document Review Panel reviews documents developed by the Committee on Ethics before submission to the Board of Directors. The review is to ensure concurrence with the College’s Code of Professional Ethics and to confirm that documents provide an appropriate decision-making framework––based on biomedical ethics principles, theories, and perspectives––to guide professional action in the face of ethical conflicts and dilemmas commonly encountered in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. The bulk of the Panel’s work is conducted by email and ad hoc conference calls. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (3 + 2 ExBd):
1. Chair will be former Chair of Committee on Ethics
2. Two former Committee on Ethics members
3. President Elect
4. Chair of the Council of District Chairs
5. Virtual Committee
The Committee on Finance is responsible for reviewing the financial operations of the College and the ACOG Foundation and developing financial policies where appropriate. The committee meets twice a year to review the status of the ACOG investment reserves, the member insurance program, the financial operating results, and approve the annual budget. In addition, the Committee on Finance receives the report of the Audit Committee, which is responsible for the relationship with the external and internal auditors of the College and the ACOG Foundation. (Rob Batarla, MBA, CPA)

Membership Criteria (Board) (5 + 3 CDC):
1. Must be a current or former district or section treasurer or
2. Have had major financial responsibility of a large organization
3. May serve four years, except CDC representatives
4. Three current district chairs
5. Chair serves a four-year term
The Committee on Governance considers various governance issues and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for updating and adopting policies and procedures. In this role, the committee creates an ongoing historical record of past Board actions, policies, and procedures; maintains and reviews the current policies and governance documents; and takes forward-facing steps to research, discuss, and recommend to the Board updates and changes to the organization’s governance. Governance matters that the committee reviews include: ACOG’s conflict of interest policy and management of disclosures, the committee structure and assignment process, implementation of ACOG’s Diversity Statement for Volunteers and Leadership, and assisting the Board in periodic self-assessment and review of its policies, standards, and orientation process. The committee will meet quarterly via teleconference with additional meetings as needed. (Molly Meegan, JD)

Membership Criteria (7)
1. The Chief Executive Officer serves as an ex officio member
2. Two committee members must be Board of Directors members; one acts as the Board of Directors Liaison
3. Members serve two-year terms with up to three appointments
4. Except for the initial appointments the Chair shall have Executive Board and Governance Committee experience.
Composed of the President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, three district chairs designated by the Council of District Chairs, the vice chair of the Junior Fellow College Advisory Council, a representative of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG), an AMA liaison and other Fellows as appointed, the Committee on Government Affairs typically meets twice annually to review ACOG federal and state government relations activities. Each year, the Committee recommends legislative priorities to the Board of Directors for approval and selects winners of the annual State Legislative Awards. Committee members are also expected to participate in the annual Congressional Leadership Conference held in March in Washington, DC, and the State Legislative Roundtable held in the fall. Other than those determined by their elected positions, committee members should have an active interest in ACOG legislative efforts, including McCain and Gellhaus Fellowship Programs or have served as a Section/District Legislative Chair. Members should be willing to travel to Washington, DC, for committee meetings and to participate in meetings with Members of College once or twice a year, as necessary. (Dorthea Lindquist, JD)

Membership Criteria (Board) (19 + 1 BOD + JFCAC VC) Currently, 21 total members
1. President as chair
2. President Elect
3. Immediate Past President
4. 3 District Chairs designated by the Council of District Chairs
5. Junior Fellow College Advisory Council Vice Chair
6. A representative from ACOOG
7. An AMA liaison who is a member of ACOG's Delegation to the AMA
8. 5-6 members who are active in their state legislatures
The Grievance Committee receives reviews and evaluates grievances regarding the professional conduct of Fellows that may violate the College's Code of Professional Ethics, College's Bylaws, or College policies. The committee also pursues and reviews final state medical board actions resulting from professional conduct inconsistent with the College Bylaws, including but not limited to serious state medical board actions such as revocation of license and any state medical board disciplinary action based on physician/patient relationship boundary violations of a sexual or intimate nature.

Hearing panels, composed of current or former committee members, thoroughly assess such complaints and determine if a complaint should be sustained and, if necessary, recommend disciplinary action to the College Board of Directors. The committee makes recommendations to the College Board of Directors regarding the grievance process and the scope of the committee's activities. Members of the committee may also act as a hearing panel for applicants whose membership as a Fellow has been denied by the College. (Molly Meegan, JD)

Membership Criteria (Board) (10 + 1 YP)
1. The Grievance Committee shall have eleven members from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
2. The Immediate Past President: serving one year
3. The Immediate Past President most recently retired from the Board of Directors: serving one year
4. The current Assistant Secretary: serving two years
5. The Assistant Secretary most recently retired from the Board of Directors: serving two years
6. One former District Chair or other experienced Fellow: serving three years
7. The Immediate Past Junior Fellow College Advisory Council Chair: serving one year
8. Five Fellows who, to the extent possible, shall have expertise in maternal fetal medicine, oncology, endocrinology, urogynecology, and general ob-gyn: serving three years
The Clinical Consensus Committee–Gynecology assesses a wide variety of emerging issues in the medical and surgical practice of gynecology. The committee is charged with developing Clinical Consensus documents, which provide clinical guidance based on a careful examination of the best available scientific data and the committee's expert consensus when evidence is limited. The committee holds two 2-day meetings annually and convenes periodic conference calls/virtual meetings to discuss documents in development and to evaluate existing documents to ensure accuracy and currency. Committee members who are appointed to a writing group will have regular conference calls and frequent communication by email during document development. Committee members are asked to contribute a moderate amount of time between meetings to draft and review documents and to serve as a resource to staff on specific issues. The committee collaborates closely with other ACOG committees and has formal liaison representation from other medical specialty/sub-specialty organizations and federal agencies. Two Public Members also serve on the committee to represent the interests of the patient and the public. A methodologist consultant is available to assist the committee and staff as needed. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (12 + 1 BOD + 2 YPs + 2 Public Members + 1 CPG + 1 CHCUW)
1. Must practice gynecology
2. At least 2 specialists in obstetrics and gynecology
3. At least 1 must have expertise in infectious disease
4. At least 1 member must have expertise in adolescent gynecology
5. At least 1 member must have expertise in genetics
6. At least 1 member must have expertise in health equity
7. Two Young Physicians
8. Two public members
9. One Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines-Gynecology Ex-officio member
10. One Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women Ex-officio member
The Clinical Consensus Committee–Obstetrics assesses a wide variety of emerging issues in the medical and surgical practice of obstetrics. The committee is charged with developing Clinical Consensus documents, which provide clinical guidance based on a careful examination of the best available scientific data and the committee's expert consensus when evidence is limited. The committee holds two 2-day meetings annually and convenes periodic conference calls to discuss documents in development and to evaluate existing documents to ensure accuracy and currency. Committee members who are appointed to a writing group will have monthly conference calls and frequent communication by email during document development. Committee members are asked to contribute a moderate amount of time between meetings to draft and review documents and to serve as a resource to staff on specific issues. The committee collaborates closely with other ACOG committees and has formal liaison representation from other medical specialty/sub-specialty organizations and federal agencies. Two Public Members also serve on the committee to represent the interests of the patient and the public. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (12 + 1 BOD + 2 YPs + 2 Public Members + 1 CPG + 1 CHCUW)
1. Must practice obstetrics
2. At least 2 members will have expertise in maternal-fetal medicine
3. At least 2 specialists in obstetrics and gynecology
4. At least 1 member with expertise/experience in evidence-based guideline development
5. At least 1 member with expertise in adolescent obstetrics
6. At least 1 must have expertise in infectious disease
7. At least 1 member must have expertise in genetics
8. At least 1 member must have expertise in health equity
9. Two Young Physicians
10. Two public members
11. One Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines OB Ex-officio member
12. One Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women Ex-officio member
The Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women works to ensure ACOG's continuing leadership role in improving the health status of women by developing and disseminating evidence-informed recommendations to improve access to quality health care. The committee holds two 2-day meetings annually and convenes periodic conference calls as needed to discuss and review documents in development; moderate preparation time is required for participation in meetings and conference calls. The Committee develops evidence-informed, consensus documents addressing a wide range of topics related to access to quality health care for underserved women, provides expertise and review for other ACOG Committees and programs, and serves as a resource to staff on specific issues. The committee has formal liaison representation from other organizations and federal agencies, including the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Child Health and Development, the Veterans Health Administration, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the National Medical Association. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (10 + 2 YPs + 2 Public Members + 1 BoD + 1 AI/AN Committee + 1 NCCHC)
1. Current experience in the care of underserved women required underserved women
2. At least 2 specialists in obstetrics and gynecology
3. At least one expert in adolescent gynecology
4. One Junior Fellow
5. One Board of Directors Ex Officio member
6. One Committee on American Indian/Alaska Native Women's Health Ex-Officio member (Chair or designee)
7. One ACOG representative to the National Commission on Correctional Health Care Ex Officio member
8. Two Young Physicians
9. Two Public Members
The Committee on Health Economics and Coding provides expertise and guidance for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code development. The committee also provides recommendations on ACOG payment policy initiatives and priorities.

Specific tasks include
- the review of requests for new or revised codes
- review coding policies from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and recommend changes
- develop coding education products
- answering coding and billing questions from members and other physician societies
Committee members with extensive experience participate in the American Medical Association CPT Editorial Panel and the Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC). The CHEC committee meets three times a year; AMA CPT and RUC advisors meet monthly, and are required to participate in 4–5 AMA CPT and RUC meetings. Time commitment is heavy. (Dorthea Lindquist, JD)

Membership Criteria (12 + 1 BOD + 1 YP)
1. Knowledge about coding procedures
2. Experience in hospital, medical society, group practice or similar coding activities
3. May serve 4 years
The Committee on Nominations prepares the slate of candidates for the nationally elected offices of the College. By virtue of being a national officer of the College, these Fellows serve as national officers of the ACOG Foundation. Committee membership is determined by the College Bylaws and includes representatives from each district, three past presidents and two additional Fellows who have been a Fellow for 12 or fewer years. The committee meets twice a year—a preliminary meeting at the Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting and a one-day meeting in June. At the preliminary meeting, committee procedures are explained. A candidates' forum open to all ACOG Fellows also is held at the time of the Annual Meeting. The committee members and first and second alternates are expected to attend. In June, the committee selects a slate to be presented to the voting membership. The vote is taken at the next ACOG Annual Business Meeting. (Molly Meegan, JD)
Members of the Ob‐GynPAC Governing Committee fundraise for Ob-GynPAC and encourage involvement in advocacy among other ACOG members. Committee members are engaged in the legislative and political issues affecting the ob-gyn specialty and bring expertise to the committee's decisions. (Dorthea Lindquist, JD)

Membership Criteria (Board) (27)
1. Composition determined by Board of Directors action
2. President
3. Past President
4. President Elect
5. Treasurer
6. Council of District Chairs Representative
7. Chief Executive Officer
8. Chief Financial Officer
9. Officer, Government and Political Affairs
10. Director, Political Advocacy
11. 20 additional members appointed by the President
  1. 2 Young Physicians
  2. 2 Junior Fellows
  3. 1 representative of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  4. 1 representative of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  5. 1 representative of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists
  6. 1 representative of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  7. 1 representative of the American Urogynecologic Society
  8. 1 Committee on Government Affairs member
  9. 2 past presidents
  10. 2 McCain Fellows
  11. 11 district representatives (one per district, excluded AFD)
12. Terms begin each January and are for one-year with the possibility of reappointment.
The Patient Education Review Panel (PERP) reviews the College Patient Education print and online materials for currency, accuracy, and consistency with College guidelines. Panel members review existing materials to determine the need for revision and propose new topics as appropriate. Reviews may be done by the full PERP or by primary PERP members, depending on the content. Reviews take place on an ongoing basis throughout the year via email, conference call, and two in-person meetings. The panel meets in person to discuss the topics being addressed, the amount of materials being reviewed and developed, and new activities and/or technologies to address patient education content. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (9 + 2 YPs + 2 Public Members + 1 Nurse Practitioner)
1. Must include two public members, but not the Board’s public member
2. May serve 4 years, except the YPs, Public Members, and Nurse Practitioner may serve only 2 year
3. Must include a specialist in each of the following:
a.         Genetics

b.         Oncology

c.         Maternal-Fetal Medicine

d.         Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

e.         Urogynecology
The Committee on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement monitors patient safety and quality improvement issues specific to the practice of obstetrics and gynecology and develops strategies to improve patient outcomes. It explores potential collaborative efforts on a national level, and reviews patient safety initiatives and best practices. The committee also sponsors ACOG’s postgraduate courses on quality and safety. Committee members may be asked to serve as primary authors for new committee documents or reviewers for document maintenance, such as Committee Opinions, Patient Safety Checklists, and the ACOG publication “Quality and Safety in Women’s Health Care”. The committee includes representation from each of the 12 districts, as well as two members with expertise in professional liability. In addition, the Committees on Gynecologic Practice and Obstetric Practice each assign one member to serve as ex officio members. The Program Director of the Voluntary Review of Quality Care program, ACOG’s hospital peer consultation program, is also an ex officio member of the committee, as is the Course Director of ACOG’s postgraduate courses on quality and safety. The committee has formal liaison representation with other groups including the American College of Nurse Midwives and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. The committee also oversees the Subcommittee on Physician Wellness, whose chair is a member of the full committee. In addition to the time spent working at the district level, the time required preparing for each national meeting or conference call and to complete any follow-up assignment varies with the specific agenda, but generally requires a moderate time commitment. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (14 + 1 ExBd + 2 YPs):
1. Experience in patient safety and quality improvement activities
2. Two members with expertise in Professional Liability, one ex officio member from the VRQC program and the Course Director for the Quality and Safety Postgraduate Course who also serves as an ex officio member
3. Representatives appointed from each district
The Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines–Gynecology oversees the development of documents that provide evidence-based clinical guidelines in areas of gynecologic health care. The committee has two 2-day meetings annually and periodic conference calls/virtual meetings to commission and outline new topics, identify subject-matter expert authors, review recommendations and documents in development, and to evaluate existing documents to ensure accuracy and currency. Committee members are asked to contribute a moderate amount of time between meetings to draft and review documents and to serve as a resource to staff on specific issues. Committee members selected to serve on a document writing team are responsible for developing the topic outline, reviewing and synthesizing relevant evidence, developing recommendations, and authoring the topic manuscript along with an external subject matter expert. It is important that members of the committee have experience with and/or a strong understanding of the elements of evidence-based medicine methodology. Committee members who are appointed to a writing group will have regular conference calls/virtual meetings and frequent communication by email during that document development. The committee collaborates closely with other ACOG committees and various medical specialty/sub-specialty organizations. Two Public Members also serve on the committee to represent the interests of patients and the public. A methodologist consultant is available to assist the committee and staff as needed. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (12 + 2 YPs + 2 Public Members + 1 BoD + 1 CC+ 1 CHCUW)
1. A minimum of one each of the following:
  1. Oncologist
  2. Reproductive endocrinologist
  3. Urogynecologist
2. At least 3 specialists in obstetrics and gynecology
3. At least 1 member with expertise/experience in evidence-based guideline development
4. At least 1 member with expertise in adolescent gynecology
5. At least 1 member with expertise in genetics
6. At least 1 member with expertise in health equity
7. Two Young Physicians
8. Two public members
9. One Board of Directors Ex-officio member
10. One Committee on Clinical Consensus—Gynecology Ex-officio member
11. One Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women Ex-officio member
The Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines–Obstetrics oversees the development of documents that provide evidence-based clinical guidelines in areas of obstetrics (including maternal and fetal medicine). The committee has two 2-day meetings annually and periodic conference calls to commission and outline new topics, identify subject-matter expert authors, review recommendations and documents in development, and to evaluate existing documents to ensure accuracy and currency. Committee members are asked to contribute a moderate amount of time between meetings to draft and review documents and to serve as a resource to staff on specific issues. Committee members selected to serve on a document writing team are responsible for developing the topic outline, reviewing and synthesizing relevant evidence, developing recommendations, and authoring the topic manuscript along with an external subject matter expert. It is important that members of the committee have experience with and/or a strong understanding of the elements of evidence-based medicine methodology. Committee members who are appointed to a writing group will have monthly conference calls and frequent communication by email during that document development. The committee collaborates closely with other ACOG committees and has liaisons with various medical specialty/sub-specialty organizations and federal agencies. Two Public Members also serve on the committee to represent the interests of the patient and the public. (Christopher M. Zahn, MD)

Membership Criteria (12 + 1 BOD + 2 YPs + 2 Public Members + 1 CC+ 1 CHCUW)
1. At least 4 members with expertise in maternal-fetal medicine
2. At least 3 specialists in obstetrics and gynecology
3. At least 1 member with expertise/experience in evidence-based guideline development
4. At least 1 member must have expertise in adolescent obstetrics
5. At least 1 member with expertise in genetics
6. At least 1 member with expertise in underserved communities
7. Two Young Physicians
8. Two public members
9. One Committee on Clinical Consensus OB Ex-officio member
10. One Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women Ex-officio member
11. [At least 1 methodologist appointed by Practice staff]
The PROLOG Advisory Committee is the policy-making body that oversees the development of all units in the five-year cycle of PROLOG. Members of the committee are ex officio members of PROLOG task forces and assist in evaluating the content in all units. The committee provides each task force with a perspective on the philosophy and purposes of PROLOG in addition to providing continuity in the focus and scope of each unit. The committee also evaluates the success of PROLOG as a continuing medical education program and recommends changes as needed to meet the changing needs of the members. (Jennifer Walsh)

Membership Criteria (4):
1. One member who is primarily an obstetrician
2. One member who is primarily a gynecologist
3. All members must have prior experience on a PROLOG task force.
4. The four advisors includes the one chair.
5. The chair of the Advisory Council serves a three-year term.
6. Advisory Council members of the task force have a five-year term.
7. Should an advisor become chair, the term limits resets at three years.
8. Members rotate off one at a time in two-year intervals, although exceptions will be made as necessary given overlap or unforeseen events.
The Committee on Scientific Program determines the scientific content and arranges the faculty for the Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting. The committee meets 2–3 times annually to develop and finalize the content for the meeting, and is also required to attend the Annual Meeting in its entirety. Additional work is required of committee members outside of the formal committee meetings to include reviewing and selecting proposals and abstracts and researching and identifying presenters. Commitment to this committee appointment may extend for three years. The committee is comprised of ten fellows and two young physicians. (AnnaMarie Connolly, MD)

Membership Criteria (10 + 2 YPs)
1. University-affiliated faculty in ob-gyn
2. Experience in development of educational meetings at local or national level