Report Secretary-General

Report Secretary-General

Kenneth D. Boffard, Secretary-General ISS/SIC

Welcome to this first newsletter since the Congress in Krakow – One of the best Congresses we have had – the Congress Centre was filled, the situation beautiful, and the interaction between the delegates, amazing. As you will see elsewhere in this newsletter, we are making a sustained effort to be inclusive of a far wider spectrum of participants than in the past. We have completely revised the fee structure, recognizing the financial difficulties suffered by our members especially from lower- and middle-income countries. Both our membership dues, and Congress fees are now linked to the World Bank classification. While not perfect, our attendance of participants from many of these countries was significantly increased on previous Congresses, and the variety of disciplines from Anaesthesiologists, Critical Care specialists, and the enthusiasm of our Medical Students and Residents was fantastic. This is one of the only Societies which has the breadth of surgical from first contact (student) to retired and active surgeons. The Congress was truly three dimensional, (all ages – young to old, all surgical care disciplines – no single branch of surgery, anaesthesia, or intensive care, and all incomes, including a very special presence of our Travel Fellows). Our members now fall into all three “categories”: “learn, earn, and return.” See the other parts of this newsletter.

A reminder to those members who qualify to consider applying for the Fellowship of the International Society of Surgery (FISS). This is the highest peer recognition we can give, and many of our members have earned the right to apply for it. Details are in the website.

We are working hard to share our access across our diverse Integrated Societies, to some of the world’s best teachers, with the widest possible audience. At time of writing, we have had shared sessions with many International Societies, including Sociedad de Cirujanos Generales del Perú (SCGP), College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, College of Surgeons of the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, The Egyptian Society of Surgeons, and the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa. IATSIC has introduced the NTMC to Ethiopia, also currently taking place in India and Sri Lanka. BSI and IAES have extensive education programmes. We look forward to broadening our footprint further and involving many of our current and future members.

Preparations are already underway for our next meeting, using our traditional name: International Surgical Week – the World’s Congress of Surgery. This will be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 29 August to 2 September 2021. Save it in your diaries now. We have extraordinary regional support and Malaysia is an amazing country to visit.

To our members, and new partner organizations, Welcome. We hope that you have as much fun and pleasure within the Society, as we have working with you.

Ken Boffard Secretary-General ISS/SIC