The Chapter of Surgeons was inaugurated in 1966 by the Master of the Academy of Medicine, Professor K Shanmugaratnam, as one of the first two Chapters of the Academy. The first chairman elected was Mr Yahya Cohen. The Fellows of the Chapter of Surgeons were all fully trained surgeons who organised meetings in their specific fields of interest.
Over the years, it had functioned under the umbrella of the Academy and successfully organised many academic activities for its members. The Academy Council undertook a major review of the Academy's Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&AA) in 2002 and 2003 with a view to transform a number of Chapters to Colleges. The Fellows gave unanimous support during the Academy's Annual General Meeting. The aims of transforming Chapters to Colleges were to allow the Colleges more autonomy and to enhance the development of the specialties. The College of Surgeons, Singapore was incorporated on 17 August 2004.
With the formation of the College of Surgeons on 17 August 2004, the College has taken on greater steps into the surgical era. Under the wing of the College, there are 9 separate Chapters covering the disciplines of Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Hand Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and Urology.