The American College of Surgeons promulgated its minimal standards for hospital accreditation in 1917. One of its five cardinal principles was “ the elimination of fee splitting.” The definition appeared in a pledge the College required of members since 1913. Despite the attempts to control fee splitting, it persisted.Fifty-seven Columbus Surgeons with the primary purpose of eliminating fee splitting founded the Columbus Surgical Society on April 1, 1945. The method used to accomplish this goal was an annual audit of the financial accounts of each member.Elimination was achieved and The Columbus Plan became a recognized model used around the country. As this problem was eliminated, the Society transformed into a forum for educational, economic and social discussions; this has continued to the present.