News Items

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) is excited to announce its 125th Anniversary Campaign, a milestone effort aimed at reshaping the future of colorectal surgery education. This campaign will enable ASCRS to expand and enhance ASCRS U, its online education platform, transforming it into a fully integrated virtual university. By fostering a collaborative and interactive learning environment, ASCRS U will serve as a one-stop educational resource, offering enhanced access to research, professional development, and innovative resources. 

“Investing in the 125th Anniversary Campaign will not only support the future of the ASCRS U platform, but also, and more importantly, empower thousands of colorectal surgeons,” said Matthew Mutch, MD, FASCRS, ASCRS Past President and Chair of the campaign’s National Steering Committee. “This evolution of ASCRS U will help our members navigate their unique journeys as surgeons and leaders to tailor their membership experience, helping them succeed at every stage of their career and providing the best care for patients.” 

The campaign reflects ASCRS's commitment to empowering surgeons with the tools and knowledge needed to advance their skills and provide exceptional patient care. The platform will incorporate state-of-the-art technology to support continuous learning for ASCRS members at all career stages, as well as students and residents seeking specialized training. ASCRS U will also include curated content from world-renowned experts in the field, ensuring participants stay at the forefront of the latest advancements in colorectal surgery. 

Kirsten Wilkins, MD, FASCRS, ASCRS Vice President and member of the campaign’s National Steering Committee, stated, “ASCRS has been an invaluable part of my professional and personal life since I finished my fellowship in 2003. I have witnessed firsthand the continued expansion of ASCRS offerings to its members over the years. I want the next generation of colorectal surgeons to have access to that same positive interaction that ASCRS has offered me. Supporting the ASCRS 125th Anniversary Campaign is my way of expressing my gratitude and paying it forward to future surgeons.” 

 

The ASCRS 125th Anniversary Campaign underscores the Society’s dedication to fostering leadership, innovation, and collaboration within the colorectal surgery community. By investing in ASCRS U, the Society aims to empower surgeons to improve patient outcomes, advance their professional development, and inspire future generations of surgical leaders. 

For more information about the 125th Anniversary Campaign and how to support this transformative initiative, please visit ASCRS. 

Last March, Jed Calata, MD, FASCRS, had the unique opportunity of attending the Philippine Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons’ (PSCRS) 14th International Scientific Meeting, along with Vince Obias, MD, FASCRS and Grace Montenegro, MD FASCRS. As Filipino-American colorectal surgeons, this event, hosted in Manila, was not just a convergence of medical professionals but also a cultural bridge linking the East to the West.

The PSCRS meeting was meticulously planned to foster an environment of learning and international collaboration with over 400 attendees and colorectal surgery experts from throughout southeast Asia.

A standout feature of the conference was its commitment to the highest standards of surgical practice and patient care. Under the leadership of Dr. Marc Paul Lopez and Dr. Carlo Cajucom, the diverse program included topics from basic concepts to emerging technologies and controversies in colorectal surgery and included prominent guest speakers such as Dr. James Ng, Dr. Luqman Mazlan, and Dr. Sonia Ramamoorthy, the current ASCRS President. Our group was not just a participant but speakers in multiple sessions presenting on issues such as surgical education, early onset colorectal cancer, and minimally invasive colorectal surgery.


















The event wasn't all work; there was plenty of opportunity for socializing and networking. The fellowship night, held at Rigodon Hall at the historic Manila Hotel, was a vibrant mix of cultural exchange and professional camaraderie. This distinguished group of surgeons from various countries were able to share their experiences and discuss how we are improving colorectal surgical care around the world.

For Dr. Calata, the conference was also a moment to reflect on his own journey and the bridges he has built between his American training and Filipino heritage. His participation underscored the importance of such international gatherings in fostering a collaborative approach to healthcare, which is crucial in a globalized world.

As the conference wrapped up, the connections made were not just professional but personal, reflecting the spirit of 'Bayanihan,' which typifies the Filipino community's approach to mutual help and cooperation. Dr. Calata, Dr. Obias, and Dr. Montenegro left the Philippines enriched with new knowledge and friendships, ready to implement novel ideas in his practice back in the U.S., and surely with plans to return for the next PSCRS meeting.

Campaign 52 is a humanitarian mission where volunteer colorectal surgeons traveled to Kenya, Africa, to assist healthcare colleagues in treating women with obstetrical fistulas, colorectal cancer, and other conditions. This multinational effort aimed to restore dignity, hope, and better futures to one woman for each week of the year, inspiring the name Campaign 52. This admirable international collaboration, held from April 13-23, 2024, brought together leading colorectal surgeons and gynecologists from around the world to share expertise and perform surgeries, particularly in a region where access to specialized care, tools and resources is limited. 

The collaboration included volunteer surgeons from the United States, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Kenya, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dr. Tracy Hull, Dr. Anna Spivak, and Dr. Wissam Halabi represent the American contingent of colorectal surgeons, while Dr. Maher Abbas brings expertise from Dubai. From Taiwan, Dr. Chucheep Sahakitrungruang and Dr. Arun Rojanasakul contribute their specialized knowledge. On the gynecological front, the team was led by Dr. Hillary Mabeya, head of Gynocare hospital in Kenya, along with several local practicing fistula surgeons and trainees. Dr. Cloud Crosby, a gynecologic oncology fellow from the USA, and Dr. Khaled Kouteich from Dubai also lent their expertise. This diverse group of specialists was joined by anesthesiologists from Dubai and Taiwan, ensuring comprehensive perioperative care for patients undergoing complex procedures. 

By day 4 of the campaign, the team had already surpassed their goal of 52 cases and went on to complete 90 cases in one week. 

Campaign 52 is already planning to return to Kenya for a 2025 program. 
 
 
 









 

ASCRS Member Dr. Alexander Hawkins, a colorectal surgeon and Associate Professor of Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, recently represented the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) as the traveling fellow at the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) Annual Meeting. 

During the conference, Dr. Hawkins delivered a presentation titled "Decision Making in Diverticulitis: Adding Science to Art," sharing his expertise with international colleagues in the field of colorectal surgery. 

The Traveling Fellow program, organized by ASCRS, aims to strengthen relationships between international partners in the colorectal specialty. This initiative seeks to expand knowledge and broaden educational opportunities for surgeons worldwide, ultimately improving patient care on a global scale. 

In a reciprocal exchange, the ASCRS International Committee offers several international travel awards for surgeons to attend the ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting. This year, Dr. Elaine Burns attended the 2024 ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting in Baltimore, MD as a traveling fellow, furthering the goal of international collaboration. 


Dr. Hawkins took the opportunity to connect with Dr. Burns while in Wales, capturing a moment that symbolizes the growing network of international expertise in the specialty.  


These exchanges between ASCRS and ACPGBI highlight the ongoing efforts to foster global cooperation and knowledge sharing in colorectal surgery, benefiting both medical professionals and  patients alike.



















 

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) recently hosted a distinguished international visitor as part of an initiative to enhance colorectal care in East Africa. Dr. Ayesiga Herman, a colorectal surgeon at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Moshi, Tanzania, spent February and March at VUMC on a National Cancer Institute (NCI) supplement to an existing GI SPORE grant led by Dr. Robert Coffey. 

The primary objective of Dr. Herman's visit was to bring molecular testing capabilities to KCMC, a significant step forward in improving treatment in Tanzania. This collaboration highlights the growing importance of international partnerships in advancing medical care in developing nations. 

As part of this ongoing exchange, ASCRS Member Dr. Alexander Hawkins from Vanderbilt is scheduled to visit KCMC next year. This reciprocal arrangement underscores the mutual benefits of such international collaborations. 

The exchange program not only benefits the institutions involved but also contributes to the broader goal of enhancing global health equity. As medical knowledge and technologies continue to advance, such international partnerships play a crucial role in ensuring that these advancements reach all corners of the world, ultimately improving patient care on a global scale.