News Items

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.


 












 

This program was developed by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society, in collaboration with the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, to provide the learner with advanced education in five (5) areas of stoma care. The modules present practical “how to” information used to manage the person with a stoma to live successfully:

• Basic stoma care covers how a stoma is managed, types of pouching systems, how to determine the best fit, wear time and educational issues.
• Adaptation to living with a stoma provides information on clothing, diet, activity, and support information.
• Stoma site marking reviews the principles of choosing a stoma site including situations such as two stoma sites and OR site options.
• Stoma and peristomal complications with practical solutions are covered (how to adapt a pouching system, topical treatments) and
• Fistula management provides instruction via case studies.

Purchase Program

ASCRS members are required to create a free account on the WOCN website to purchase the course.

Learner Outcome: The learner will report increased confidence in ability to choose an appropriate ostomy site, provide pre and post op education to patients and families, selecting appropriate pouching systems for a range of abdominal topography and manage the basics of fistula containment and related skin care.

This program was supported by an educational grant from Hollister Incorporated. The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons do not endorse specific products and services.

Target Audience: Colorectal surgeons, residents, physician assistants, general surgeons and other healthcare professionals in caring for patients with colon and rectal disease who may receive an ostomy as part of their plan of care.

ASCRS Members are eligible for a $50 discount! Check your email or reach out to [email protected] for the discount code.

CME Hour(s): 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

To Receive Credit:

• Complete the activity in its entirety.
• Complete/submit the online evaluation. To receive credit for each session, click on the CE Information tab and complete the session evaluation. To access your certificate of completion, click on My Account at the top of the screen, click on CNE Transcripts, locate the course, and complete the overall evaluation. At the completion of this step, you will be able to print your certificate with a transcript.
• Print out your certificate and/or save it to your computer. It will also be saved to your CEC account.

Credit Information: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Surgery (ABS) Continuous Certification:

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.