Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) is a 501c6 non-profit professional organization providing education on gastrointestinal minimally invasive surgery. It describes itself thus:^[1] The mission of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons is to innovate, educate and collaborate to improve patient care.

It held its first Scientific Session, in tandem with Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia in September, 1983 as part of the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, and held its first independent meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1986. With support from Springer-Verlag, publisher of Surgical Endoscopy, the 1st World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery was held in Berlin, Germany in 1988.

SAGES Members are primarily board certified (American Board of Surgery or American Osteopathic Association or the international equivalent) general surgeons with either an interest in or practice focused on endoscopic and/or laparoscopic surgery. Surgical Fellows, residents and medical school students interested in a career in surgery are also allowed in the membership, as are other health-care professionals involved in surgical care of patients.