In August and September, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) hosted a series of Annual Scientific Meetings (ASMs) in Adelaide, Wellington, Launceston and Brisbane. At each event, the energy was buzzing with opportunities for learning, collaboration, connection and community.

Read on for more.

Wellington | Aotearoa New Zealand ASM

Fellows, Trainees and guests came together in Wellington’s iconic parliament building, the Beehive, for the 2025 RACS Aotearoa New Zealand ASM on Thursday4 and Friday5 September.

 

Centred around the theme of Enhancing quality and compassion in surgery, the event enabled connection, reflection and the sharing of knowledge for surgeons across RACS nine specialties and around the motu (country). Thursday’s program focused on the future of surgery, with sessions on consent, registries and workforce planning. Keynote speakers included Michael Webster (Privacy Commissioner), Professor Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard (Chief Medical Officer, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora), and Dr Andrew Connolly (Deputy Chair, TWO Board), who shared insights on national priorities and challenges.

On Friday, the spotlight turned to compassionate leadership, cultural safety and learning from mistakes. Carlton Irving (Director of Māori Health and Consumer, HQSC), Sally Walker (MNZM and Kiwibank NZ Local Hero of the Year), and Sarah Jackson (National Chief, Quality & Patient Safety, TWO) were among the speakers who brought depth and inspiration to the conversation. A highlight of the day was a special presentation by Dr Jo Prendergast, psychiatrist and comedian, who offered a refreshing take on wellbeing and resilience.

Launceston | Tasmania ASM

Held on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September at the picturesque Peppers Silo in Launceston, this meeting  boasted of a vibrant mix of surgeons, medical students and aspiring surgical professionals.

The event kicked off with a welcome reception, featuring an engaging keynote from Dr Osamu Yoshino. Attendees enjoyed reconnecting with colleagues including RACS vice president Professor Ray Sacks, Dr Christine Lai and Dr Pecky de Silva, setting the tone for a weekend of collaboration and inspiration.

Over the two-day program, participants explored the theme of Thriving Together: Exploring the Science of Health and Wellbeing. The sessions featured powerful presentations and thought-provoking research and included discussions on cultural safety, sustainable surgery, robotic innovations, and wellbeing in high-pressure environments. The program also showcased nine research papers and multiple poster presentations, reflecting the depth and diversity of surgical inquiry.

Saturday’s program featured keynote speaker Melo Calarco, mindfulness and high-performance coach and TEDx speaker, who shared practical strategies on how to operate at your best without burning out. His insights resonated with attendees, reinforcing the importance of mental resilience in surgical practice.

Strong engagement from attendees—ranging from seasoned surgeons to students—underscored the ASM’s role in fostering professional growth and community. The final session, Wellbeing and Global Perspectives, offered a moving reflection on resilience, leadership and self-care in surgical practice.

As the event concluded with a cocktail reception and awards presentation, the sense of connection and shared purpose was clear. 

Brisbane | Queensland State Conference 
Themed Shaping the future of medicine, the two-day event on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September explored how technology, innovation and collaboration are transforming surgical care.

Chaired by Dr Matthew Hope, the program featured keynote lectures from Professor Fiona Wood, Associate Professor Cliff Pollard and Professor Matthew Read. It also included panels and presentations on AI, robotics, consultation software, theatre design and workforce planning. Associate Professor Read’s session on digital transformation and AI drew strong engagement, with his call for ongoing coaching in surgery resonating widely.

Day two opened with a lively panel discussion on From Avatar to OR moderated by Associate Professor Bhavesh Patel. It explored the role of AI in surgical decision-making with panellists Georgia Railton-Stewart, Dr Roxanne Wu and Professor Justin Gundara bringing their perspectives on topics ranging from consumer advocacy to vascular and endocrine surgery.

Other highlights included Dr Carina Chow’s presentation on robotic surgery—showcasing her extensive use of Da Vinci platforms. Dr Harsheet Sethi led a panel on subspecialisation, which examined the balance between specialist training and the need for generalists in rural areas.

Across all four events, it was fabulous to see the energy, engagement and shared purpose. These ASMs continue to be a cornerstone for professional growth, knowledge-sharing and celebrating the future of surgery.

A special thank you to our speakers, convenors, sponsors and attendees who made these events possible. 

There’s still one more ASM to go this year and we encourage anyone with an interest in exploring the healthcare and surgical landscape to attend. This will be held on Saturday 15 November at the National Museum, Canberra. You can find out more here.