Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of breast screening and highlight the latest research. Peruse articles from ANZ Journal of Surgery and other journals: bit.ly/3LjJGKK

Congrats to the 2026 RACS Scholarships & Grants recipients! Over $1.5M awarded across 56 opportunities. We received 184 Learning & Development and 161 Research Scholarship applications. Huge thanks to our reviewers, donors & Foundation for Surgery!
Read in Surgical News: bit.ly/3WeqUH4 :

Abstract submissions for the RACS ASC 2026 are now open! This is your opportunity to be part of an engaging and insightful program that explores how meaningful collaboration drives innovation and improves outcomes in surgery.

Find out more here: asc.surgeons.org/call-for-abs...

Are you in your first 10 years of Fellowship
Apply now for the 2026 Younger Fellows Forum: 27–29 April at Mandoon Estate, WA.
Theme: The Art of Science and Collaboration.
Applications close in 2 weeks—don’t miss out!
tinyurl.com/mukvf73

This issue of Surgical News highlights RACS’ leadership in advocacy, innovation, and global collaboration. Read about the unified surgical voices and safe AI integration. Join us in Fiji (27–31 Oct) for the ECO Care Equity Conference.
Read Surgical News: bit.ly/47gm54S

A/Prof Katryn McLeod, featured in Surgical News talks about her PhD research, which reveals the emotional toll of remediation in surgical training and calls for Trainee-centred, evidence-based reform. “Trainees are central, yet unheard.” bit.ly/45YmYP6

Country surgeons are sharpening their soft skills in a Rural Health initiative featured in Surgical News. Led by Prof Guy Maddern, the program used Go-Pro footage + virtual coaching to boost communication, leadership & decision-making. 76% saw improvement—more to come! bit.ly/3UZf5Us

The corner of a RACS-branded certificate next to an Australia Post tube.

What a lovely surprise! My third Certificate of Outstanding Service from @racsurgeons.bsky.social (2016, 2022 and this one). We all do pro bono work for its own rewards, but it's nice to be recognised for it from time to time. 🤗🙏

This Thursday to Sunday, don't miss the Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery Conference #ANZSVS25.

Register and view the final program at anzsvs.com

Surgical News congratulates A/Prof Anthony Glover on the 2024 RACS John Mitchell Crouch Fellowship! His work targets gene mutations in advanced thyroid cancer to broaden therapy access. In partnership with the ANZ Registry, his team is advancing equity in surgical oncology. bit.ly/4mF2kdM

Join us to celebrate advanced surgical academic research excellence in Aotearoa New Zealand with the online presentation of the Louis Barnett Prize on 2 October 2025. The award finalists will present their research findings spanning a range of surgical specialties. Read more: bit.ly/4mQgjya

RACS Fellows, display your FRACS with pride.

The FRACS post-nominal is an internationally recognised signal of surgical excellence. Using the FRACS brand helps reinforce trust, professionalism and the value of your Fellowship. Download the FRACS branding: #[bit.ly/3IeNT1m

The latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery has been released. Volume 95, Issue 7-8 (July/August 2025) features cutting-edge research across a range of surgical disciplines. Explore the full issue here: bit.ly/46KUHMv

In Surgical News, Dr Andrew Pearce shares how MedSTAR helps rural and remote surgery—through aeromedical transfers, early consultation and smart triage—improving outcomes for critically ill patients across South Australia. bit.ly/3UU8VVK

Surgical News: A Teladoc-guided craniotomy in Rockhampton saved a life when no neurosurgeon was available. Remote tech brought Brisbane expertise into theatre, proving geography needn’t be a barrier to care in rural Australia. A game-changer for emergency surgery. bit.ly/4oS3d4i

In Surgical News, Professor Shomik Sengupta highlights the rise of prostate cancer in younger men. This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, innovation and early testing are vital to saving lives. bit.ly/47F2IV3

A new report from the National Rural Health Alliance has found rural Australians received $8.35 billion less in health spending in 2023–24 compared to their urban counterparts – a shortfall of $1090 per person, per year.

Read the full report: #[bit.ly/3JGHuwa

Trailblazer Dr Teriana Maheno—one of the first two Māori women orthopaedic surgeons in Aotearoa NZ—leads with excellence, equity and cultural respect, shaping a more inclusive surgical future.
#SurgicalNews: bit.ly/3VnIA2h

RACS is evolving with members at the heart of change. We’re raising standards, driving diversity, supporting international colleagues, and creating opportunities to connect and learn. Surgical News explores what’s shaping surgery today and tomorrow.
Read Surgical News: bit.ly/4mSWup5

A big welcome to RACS Global Health Weary Dunlop Boon Pong (WDBP) scholar Anan Sriniworn of Thailand, who joined the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne’s paediatrics unit with supervisors Dr Michael Nightingale, Professor Sebastian King, and Dr Juan Bortagaray.

#[bit.ly/45heK5w

A new curriculum aims to improve workplace culture across the healthcare sector.

A Better Culture Curriculum offers a practical framework to evaluate and improve work environments, offering assessment modes and resources.

Read the curriculum: #[bit.ly/3IyKOca

Surgeon warns of ‘tipping point’ as Government boosts private hospital use Clinicians have warned the drive to complete more elective surgeries in the private sector could destabilise the public system and risk patient safety.

RACS has expressed concerns about the safety of patients transitioning between the public and private system and the loss of training opportunities for surgeons, which will ultimately undermine the public system in Aotearoa New Zealand: bit.ly/40gzlnD

The Australian recently spoke with a group of experts including Dr Kerin Fielding, an orthopaedic surgeon based in Wagga Wagga and immediate past president of RACS, on the essential role that product assistants perform in the operating theatre: #[bit.ly/4nPs0p5

RACS grant opens global doors for Dr Parr Dr Justin Parr The 2024 RACS Poate Family Travel Grant gave Dr Justin Parr a "valuable opportunity" to deepen his "skills in an area not covered in great depth during standard surgical training". After completing surgical education training (SET) in Aotearoa New Zealand, Dr Parr pursued a Fellowship at Melbourne's St Vincent's Hospital, specialising in advanced hand and wrist surgery.

Dr Justin Parr used the 2024 RACS Poate Family Travel Grant to train with global leaders in Europe and Asia. The experience sharpened his skills and refined techniques that enhance care across Australia and Aotearoa NZ. “Grants like this open doors.” bit.ly/45ZBB6v

In Surgical News, Dr Jazmin Eckhaus shares insights from her RACS ethics scholarship, about surgical consent. “Truly informed consent needs time, communication, and patient values. We need systems that enable—not just expect—ethical decisions.”
Read full story: tinyurl.com/26y6vpvp

Are you a Trainee or Younger Fellow passionate about surgical academic research? Applications are open until 14 July for the Louis Barnett Prize - an opportunity to gain recognition for your work and contribute to the future of surgery in Aotearoa New Zealand. Find out more: #[bit.ly/4mQgjya

Celebrating NAIDOC Week The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy 6-13 July 2025 #NAIDOC2025 #BLAKLOUDPROUD Instagram: @naidocweek Facebook: facebook.com/NAIDOC X: @naidocweek Aboriginal Flag designed by Mr Harold Thomas. Torres Strait Islander Flag reproduced by kind permission of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council designed by the late Mr Bernard Namok

NAIDOC Week is taking place this year from 6-13 July 2025, celebrating the history, culture and achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. RACS is committed to supporting Indigenous graduates and trainees through its Indigenous Scholarship Program: tinyurl.com/RACSNAIDOCWe...

Meet Dr Rob Knox, 2024 RACS Rural Surgery Fellow in Surgical News!

Thanks to the RACS Rural Surgery Fellowship and training opportunities at Harvard and LSE he’s transforming regional healthcare.
His story: tinyurl.com/3cjn9j36

The May–June issue of Surgical News is live! New RACS leadership, a standout ASC with 1750+ attendees, Fellows honoured in the King’s Birthday list, and the Cowlishaw Symposium returns to Melbourne. Catch up now: www.surgeons.org/surgicalnews

At the AMA Colleges meeting yesterday, RACS President Professor Owen Ung and EGM Fellowship Experience Kevin Falzon took the chance to learn, listen and connect.

Australian Health Minister, the Hon Mark Butler MP, discussed the Government's vision to deliver better health outcomes for Australians.