San Francisco - Divyakant B. Gandhi, MD, was among 1,661 Initiates from around the world who became Fellows of the American College of Surgeons during convocation ceremoniesat the college's recent annual Clinical Congress in San Francisco.

Dr. Gandhi received a medical doctorate in 1976 from Bombay University and is practicing at Memorial Healthcare Center in Owosso, Sparrow Hospital and Michigan Capital Medical Center in Lansing, and Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital in Charlotte.

He is board certified in general surgery and thoracic surgery. Dr. Gandhi has a professional interest in cardiothoracic surgery and holds memberships in other professional societies, including The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons, England; Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh; and The Michigan State Medical Society.

The American College of Surgeons is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. By meeting the college's stringent membership requirements, Fellows of the College have earned the distinguished right to use the designation "F.A.C.S." (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after their names.

An applicant for Fellowship must be a graduate of an approved medical school; must have completed advanced training in one of the 13 surgical specialties recognized by the college; must have been in practice in the same geographic location for at least two years at the time of his or her application.

Before admission into Fellowship, the surgeon must further demonstrate ethical fitness and professional proficiency and his or her acceptance as a Fellow of the College must be approved by at three-forths of its board of regents.

Founded in 1913, The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons committed to raising the standards of surgical practise and to improving the quality of surgical patient care.

In addition to its dedication to the ethical and competent practive of surgery, the college provides educational programs for its more than 58,000 Fellows, other physicians and health care professionals in this country and abroad, by establishing standards of practice, disseminating medical knowledge and providing information to the general public.

Dr. Gandhi has offices in Owosso, Alma, Charlotte, Jackson and Lansing.