History of specialty training and board certification in colon and rectal surgery

Colon and rectal surgery as a separate and identifiable specialty dates back to the early 1900s. Development of training programs, beginning as proctology preceptorships and evolving to residency programs recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, demonstrate the value of the unwavering dedication of the founders of the field. Similarly, creation of an independent Board with its own certification procedures has maintained the independence and integrity of the specialty despite external pressures to return to general surgery. Both the development of the board and training programs are reviewed in detail.