It was a great pleasure to participate in this meeting. Surgeons representing many international colleges were present, and the interaction was very productive, with a strong spirit of international collaboration.
The conference began with an outstanding symposium on cancer navigation systems and featured presentations on their implementation for breast cancer, oesophagogastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and pediatric brain tumors.
Also on Friday morning, I was privileged to participate in the Opening Ceremony which included the AM Ismail Oration by April Camilla Roslani, MBBS, MSurg, MRCSEd, FRCSEd, FRCSGlas, a highly respected surgical educator and ACS Honorary Fellow.
I also participated in a panel sponsored by the Chapter of Women Surgeons of the College of Surgeons of the Academy of Medicine, "Challenges and Opportunities of a Multigenerational Workforce." Panelists included medical students and experienced surgical educators, and there was interactive discussion on mentorship, career progression, and team cohesion among surgeons from different generations.
During my presentation at the morning plenary session on Saturday, "Increasing Surgeon Well-Being," I addressed the prevalent problem of work stress in surgeons and reviewed statistics demonstrating the widespread nature of this in Malaysia and worldwide. The impact of burnout on surgical workforce retention was an important point of discussion. I noted the proactive measures Malaysia has implemented to address this issue and highlighted mitigation strategies, including global best practices and resources from the ACS.
I also attended strong sessions on breast and endocrine surgery, robotic surgery, and surgical training programs. The faculty dinner, which included wonderful traditional foods, was held at the Borneo Cultures Museum Restaurant.
This meeting was extremely well organized and attended, with remarkable industry support. More than 25 exhibitors demonstrated new technologies and best practices in surgical care. Some of the exhibitors also provided educational sessions.
Overall, the conference delivered a curated blend of panels, plenaries, and practical sessions, offering scientific learning, strategic dialogue on workforce issues, surgeon wellness, and hands-on updates on surgical innovation.
Beth H. Sutton, MD, FACS
President
