Surgical News | Volume 21 | Issue 06
New South Wales Surgeons’ Month Leadership in a time of crisis ‘Leadership in a time of Crisis’ was the theme for New South Wales (NSW) surgeons as they joined together throughout November to celebrate the annual NSW Surgeons’ Month. The event, now in its seventh year, was initially designed to provide learning opportunities for surgeons and other medical professionals. Over the years, it has grown to highlight the diversity within surgery and medicine. Despite the many challenges posed by COVID-19, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) NSW Chair, Associate Professor Payal Mukherjee, said the committee was determined the event should go ahead, albeit in a slightly modified format. “Surgeons’ Month has grown every year since its inception. When I took over as Chair of the NSW State Committee, I had big plans for how I wanted to continue to shape this event and expand its profile. But COVID-19 threw all those plans in to disarray, and for a long time it looked as if we would have to cancel it altogether,” Associate Professor Mukherjee said. “It has been a tough year for everyone in our community, including medical professionals, who have been at the front line, not only during the pandemic, but also during the devastating summer bushfires. I have been very proud of the way health workers have responded and, in the case of surgery, have worked tirelessly to alleviate the pressures that have been placed on the system.
“I have been touched by the many examples of leadership that I have personally witnessed, and it seems only fitting that we recognised and celebrated this. During Surgeons’ Month several of our colleagues were presented with awards for their outstanding contributions to surgery and to our community over many years.” Associate Professor Mukherjee said that while the pandemic had created challenges for organisers, it had also provided an opportunity to consider alternative models. “For the first time we offered hybrid events where people could attend either virtually or in person. This isn’t something we have previously considered, but it has been really exciting and has helped us to connect with a broader audience, particularly our rural colleagues,” she said. “It is really important we continue to do this in future years. I also think it is vital to keep a face-to-face element as well. As much as I have enjoyed the convenience of virtual meetings and communications, the experience of gathering together is irreplaceable.” This year Surgeons’ Month included five events in total. These were: • Preparation for Surgical Education and Training Workshop • Younger Fellows Preparation for Practice Workshop • Australian Defence Force and Surgery Dinner with guest speaker Georgeina Whelan AM CSC and Bar, who is a retired Army brigadier, and current
Commissioner of the Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency. • Women in Surgery with guest speakers the Minister for Women Bronwyn Taylor and Carrie Marr, CEO of the Clinical Excellence Commission • Surgeon’s Evening with guest of honour Secretary of NSW Health, Elizabeth Koff. During the month several awards were presented to NSW members to recognise their contribution to surgery and the community over a number of years. The award recipients were presented as part of Surgeons’ Evening, where they were honoured in front of family, friends and colleagues. Among them was Professor Jonathan Clark AM, who delivered the Graham Coupland Lecture and was also presented with the Graham Coupland Medal. Professor Clark is a head and neck surgeon and the Director of Head and Neck Cancer Research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. He was also recently appointed as the inaugural Lang Walker Family Foundation Chair in Head and Neck Cancer Reconstructive Surgery and has many other positions and achievements to his name. He described receiving the award as a privilege. “Honestly, it is a bit daunting,” he said. “Especially after looking through the list of previous recipients. There are so many other surgeons also doing remarkable clinical work and research that would have been very deserving.” Despite his many achievements and accolades, Professor Clark said he
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