Surgery International was launched in 2023 to become the go-to global hub for surgical news, delving into the dynamic world of surgery and cultivating a thriving worldwide community.
As a pioneering and unique platform, its vision was to be the primary resource for surgical and operating theatre teams, fostering unity among surgeons, anaesthetists and the wider perioperative team.
In less than a year, thousands of surgeons have joined our community by signing up for free access to the website and a weekly news bulletin highlighting the best in forward-thinking surgeons, research and practices.
Surgery was established to empower surgical professionals by providing a platform to amplify their collective voice. Our daily dissemination of meticulously selected, top-tier content by a team of experts informs, educates, and engages millions of surgeons worldwide.
Focusing on pivotal themes such as technology, lifestyle, practice and robotics, Surgery explores the latest innovations while highlighting the trailblazers steering change and creativity in the profession.
The platform also showcases exclusive interviews with cutting-edge surgeons who are shaping the future of surgery in profound and inspiring ways.
In September, we talked to from Professor Shafi Ahmed, the world’s ‘most watched’ surgeon.
A man of remarkable innovation and influence in the medical field, his global impact is impressive. His dedication to surgery transcends mere career aspirations; it's about community service and breaking barriers ingrained by societal norms.
Surgery International’s interview touched upon his pioneering work in laparoscopic colorectal surgery at the Royal London Hospital, that is setting the stage for a revolutionary approach. We also heard about his unique vision, integrating technology and education to transform how surgical procedures are taught.
A standout aspect of his approach includes leveraging Google Glass, embracing virtual reality and using Snapchat and other social media platforms to broadcast live surgeries worldwide. Technology, for Shafi, is simply a tool to democratise medical education and his eclectic methods are designed to lay bare the realities of surgery and dispel any romanticised notions of how the profession works that are portrayed by mainstream media.
He also shares his experience of his humanitarian work – pre-October, he was a regular visitor to Gaza, helping surgical colleagues develop the surgical service there.
Andrew Dold’s journey toward orthopaedics stemmed from his own sports injuries, driving him to help athletes recover. An orthopaedic surgeon with a specialist interest in the field of sports medicine, his career has taken him from Ontario to Trinity College Dublin to Fellowship training in New York. He is currently the Director of Star Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Frisco and Coppell, Texas.
His path, spanning various accolades and medical training across continents, led to a pivotal realisation about excessive medical inventory waste. This inspired RevMed, a platform aiming to curb unnecessary stockpiling and provide a marketplace for surplus medical supplies. Dold’s entrepreneurial spirit and medical background converge in this venture, fuelled by a desire to enhance healthcare sustainability and affordability.
‘I feel like I'm an entrepreneur, and I'm always looking for things that can be done better. And this was certainly a glaring opportunity in the healthcare world,’ he told us.
The legendary Sir Terence English took us on a journey through his illustrious career. As a heart transplant pioneer, he overcame many challenges – public funding, public and professional fear and an ensuing press frenzy among them – to become the much-celebrated and renowned cardiac surgeon who, in 1979, performed the UK’s first transplant with long-term success.
He warmly reflected on former patients, dedicated teams, his mother, four children and the invaluable support he received from all quarters, generously putting others at the forefront of our conversation.
We also heard from Ang Swee Chai, the orthopaedic surgeon and human rights activist who has spent more than 40 years working in war and conflict zones, including the refugee camps of Lebanon and later for the United Nations in Gaza and World Health Organisation in the West Bank. Interviewed in September, she noted: ‘If we are silent in the face of massacres, we would not be fit to be doctors and scientists. We have to be witnesses.’
Another fascinating story came from Scott Parazynski’s, a US physician and former NASA astronaut who is a veteran of five space shuttle missions and the only man to have climbed Mount Everest and been to space.
Diversity challenges were a topic of conversation with Carla Pugh, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Technology Enabled Clinical Improvement Centre in Stanford, US. Best known for developing sensor-enabled simulators that allow medical students to practice breast and pelvic examinations, she is also president of the Society of Black Academic Surgeons and a member of the American Board of Surgery Council,
Carla also shared her thoughts on the Affordable Care Act – better known as Obamacare – and how it has yet to democratise the notoriously expensive US healthcare system. She suggests technology is still failing to provide the necessary solutions.
With a finger on the pulse of surgeon burnout, Beth Frates, a pioneer in lifestyle medicine and education, discussed the health risks that often impact the profession. She never misses an opportunity to talk and educate about the six pillars of lifestyle medicine –nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, substance use and personal connections.
She harnesses social media platforms to share affirmations, discuss evidence-based studies and offer health and self-care tips to an audience far beyond the usual reach of the medical profession.
Our exclusive interviews with pioneers in surgery showcase innovative techniques, forward-thinking approaches and invaluable insights. For more trailblazers who are redefining the possibilities and shaping the future of surgery, sign up to access our website. Explore and learn – and be inspired to join them in pushing the boundaries of surgical practice.
