President's Blog
Dr Rachel Green 1st Edition. June 2023
I would like to start this, my first blog, by welcoming the new board for AGES 2023-2025. We have several new board members joining me on this board. With this in mind, we started our new board term with a strategic planning meeting last month. This meeting has allowed us to focus as a board and resulted in some new goals for the society. We analysed our vision:
A leading international society focused on improving gynaecological health through education and training, surgery, research and advocacy.
and looked at our purpose and values. This has led to some new initiatives we, as a board, plan to deliver to the membership over the coming years. Our society is strong in its membership. It is diverse and inclusive, and we plan to build on the momentum created by previous boards. We will look at our member education program, with this year being the first year to not include a dedicated pelvic floor meeting as one of our face to face education events. We will continue to offer high quality education, both online and in person. Our training program continues to gain strength with the recent completion of the curriculum review.
The COVID pandemic has had a profound effect on our bottom line. Our financial position remains strong, but we are increasingly mindful of the cost of events. This board will be future planning to continue to keep this society responsible to its members and their interests.
So, what can you expect from AGES in the next 12 months??
We have a busy schedule of events. The trainee workshop will be held at the Royal Australian College of Surgeons from 17th-18th June. This workshop is aimed at RANZCOG trainees and is always sold out.
At the AGES/AAGL Focus Meeting in Bangkok, we will also feature some local faculty for a deep and engaging program. We hope you can join us for this event on the July 6th and 7th of July. Registrations are open and the program is on the website.
Our Laparoscopic- Dissection workshops are once again running. Michael Wynn-Williams has spearheaded this workshop. Workshops have already sold out, however, those who are looking to participate in the future are welcome to join our waitlist by contacting the AGES Secretariat by email to ages@yrd.com.au.
Our last face-to-face meeting of this year will be the remodelled “Pelvic Floor” Symposium. This meeting is entitled “Beyond the Pelvic Floor – Strive to Thrive”. It is being held at the Sofitel in Melbourne on the 20th & 21st of October. This will be quite a different meeting for AGES, with the enthusiastic team of Dr’s Caterina Ang and Shamitha Kathurusinghe chairing this meeting. They are currently in the process of program development.
We will also continue our online education programs. The ever-popular M+M meetings will continue, and I would like to increase this to twice yearly. This was a very popular session at the recent ASM, with many delegates rating it highly. I find this a great session to experience both as a presenter and as a delegate. If any members would like to be more involved or present cases at this forum, I would welcome your contact at president@ages.com.au
One of our outcomes from our strategy day was a focus on sustainability. I have started a new board portfolio to include this as a project for our board. What can we do as a society to make our practice and our meetings more sustainable? How do we encourage industry to adopt sustainable practice? This is an issue I am passionate about, and I hope to deliver meaningful change on this issue.
We will continue to work closely with our industry partners, and I thank them for their ongoing support. It is indeed true that without them, we would be unable to continue to put on events. Their support is essential. There will be industry articles attached to this blog from our industry partners moving forward.
I look forward to leading this vibrant society over the next 2 years. I would like to invite the membership to offer up their suggestions and requests. Is there something you would like to see the board achieve? Whilst we plan a membership survey, I encourage anyone to contact me. My email is on the bottom of this blog.
Having just celebrated Mother’s Day, I wanted to share a reflection with you. Whilst I was shopping at the local markets last Saturday morning, I ordered my coffee from my usual barista. She handed me my coffee and wished me a happy Mother’s Day. I was often seen at the markets with my 2 girls, so she knew my situation well. In fact, I remember being at the markets within weeks of their births – now they are teenagers!! This got me thinking about all the women I have seen who have not been gifted with children. Those on a difficult fertility journey. Those who have lost children. Those who have lost their own mothers. What a dichotomy is Mother’s Day. A wonderful celebration for many but a difficult day for those who grieve. Not knowing the situation of the barista, I said thank you and went on my way. Not wanting to cause pain or offence.
I hope that all our members had a lovely day with their families, and I offer my heartfelt wishes to those grieving or alone.
Regards,
Dr Rachel Green
President, AGES
president@ages.com.au