Every year this important meeting brings together some of the country's best medical minds to discuss issues vital to the on-going provision of high quality surgical care in New Zealand.
Running from 9-10 August, the New Zealand Annual Surgeons Meeting titled Surgery 2018: Planning for Change will focus on how to plan for, and tackle the challenges associated with changes when caring for a patient and in surgical practice itself.
A line-up of local and international speakers will meet to look ahead to improving surgical practice, covering issues such as managing challenging situations, and how to adjust when things change pre-operatively, intra-operatively and post-operatively.
Among the invited speakers this year is Assistant Professor Claudius Conrad from the United States. In addition to his surgical qualifications Dr Conrad holds an MD, a PhD in stem cell biology, and a PhD in music philosophy-all from the University of Munich where he was the principal investigator of the research group on stem cell therapy in the Department of Surgery.
Over the course of the two days, delegates will also discuss new surgical research and surgical matters associated with Māori health. Dr Matire Harwood, a Senior Lecturer and Director for Research at Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, will present on improving health outcomes for Māori.
A Māori researcher and academic clinician, Dr Harwood's research explores ways to improve the management of long-term conditions in both primary and secondary care; and ways that eliminate inequities.
Associate Professor Suzanne Pitama will be discussing the roles and responsibilities associated with working alongside Māori patients and whanau. She has been involved in Māori health research for more than 18 years and is the director of the Māori/Indigenous Health Institute (MIHI) at the University of Otago.
Surgery 2018: Planning for Change will be held at Rydges Lakeland Resort in Queenstown.