The Association of Surgeons in Training has held its most successful annual meeting to-date, with a record number of abstract submissions and delegates
This year’s Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) Conference, held from 12-14 March at Kingston-upon-Hull, attracted over 700 abstracts, covering all nine surgical specialties. Over the course of the weekend we were delighted to host over 400 trainees from across the UK and overseas, making for a very active and cosmopolitan meeting.
For the first time, accepted abstracts were this year published in Elsevier’s International Journal of Surgery, and trainees competed for a range of prestigious new prizes. We are grateful to SARS, NPSA, AOT, PLASTA, SURG, and the Rouleaux Club for their support of this initiative, and to Stryker for generously supporting the prizes for the ASiT Medal.
Our six pre-conference courses were fully-booked, covering core skills in laparoscopy, research methodology (in conjunction with SARS and the BJS), surgery and law, getting published in surgery (provided by Elsevier’s International Journal of Surgery), a new surgical teacher training course, and our popular Foundation Skills in Surgery Course.
Speakers included a diverse range of guests covering the breadth of surgery and beyond. Highlights included the ASiT Lecture from Professor Ken Boffard, Professor of Trauma Surgery in Johannesburg, and Mr John Black, RCSEng President, who took the stage to participate in an informative question-and-answer session with trainees.
The Silver Scalpel Award for 2009/2010 was awarded to Mr Mr Ramez Kirollos Consultant Neurosurgeon at Addenbrookes.
The social highlights of the weekend were undoubtedly the welcome Drinks Reception, hosted by the Lord Mayor in the beautiful Ferens Art Gallery accompanied by a string quartet, and our Gala Dinner held in the historic setting of Hull’s Guildhall. Over 200 trainees and guests were treated to a Champagne reception and four-course dinner, with an excellent live band providing after-dinner entertainment. With dancing into the early hours, this was certainly one of the most enjoyable Gala Dinners in recent years.
Planning is already underway for our next conference in March 2011. Abstract submissions will open in autumn 2010, and we hope many readers will submit their research and audits. Keep an eye on the ASiT website www.asit.org for further details.
Ed Fitzgerald, President,Association of Surgeons in Training
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