international college of surgeons international college of surgeons the international college of surgeons (ics) is a global organization dedicated to promoting excellence of surgeons and surgical specialists worldwide. it was founded in 1935 by max thorek and is headquartered in chicago, illinois. international college of surgeonsabbreviationicsformation1935 (1935)foundermax thorekfounded atgeneva, switzerlandpurposepromoting excellence of surgeons and surgical specialists worldwideheadquarterschicago, united statesproductsinternational surgerypresidentkwan aij-liewebsitewww.icsglobal.org ics works though collaborative projects with the world health organization, the united nations, and similar organizations. the organization publishes the journal international surgery. it conducts conferences, meetings, and congresses in many countries of the world. it operates the international museum of surgical science in chicago.