President’s Message

 

Welcome to the Association of Upper GI Surgeons trainees (AUGISt).

AUGISt aims to represent the views of trainees in all branches of upper gastrointestinal surgery (oesophagogastric, hepatobiliary, pancreatic and bariatric). Membership of AUGISt is automatic on joining AUGIS as a trainee member.

One of the main events in the AUGISt year is the Training Day which, this year, will be held in Liverpool on Sunday, June 17, as part of the special Digestive Disorders Federation Meeting (The DDF will run from June 17 - 20).

This year we will combine with gastroenterology trainees for a series of case-based discussions and then in the afternoon we will have a separate session entitled “Meet the Presidents.” The DDF will also host the first trainee symposium to discuss topics including endoscopy training and workforce developments.

The Training Day always offers great opportunities to learn from the experts, including members of the AUGIS Council and visiting international speakers. Recent highlights have included being tutored on bile duct injuries by Professor Steven Strasberg, from Washington University St Louis, and debating the complexities of oesophageal resection with Dr Don Low of the Virginia Mason Medical Centre, Seattle. The Training Day is followed by the Annual AUGISt Barrett’s Dinner, an industry-sponsored evening for members.

AUGISt members are also encouraged to enter the AUGIS Travel Fellowships programme. Fellowships will open later this year with awards of up to £2,000 (up to five awards) available. The awards are mainly intended to help support short term visits (typically less than six weeks) to units abroad to observe / study although awards may also be given for applicants intending to present at overseas meetings.

Successful applicants must produce a comprehensive report including photographs which will be featured in the AUGIS newsletter and be put on the website.
Finally, September will see the inaugural conference of the GBIHPBA at the Belfry in the West Midlands which will have an educational emphasis.

I would be happy to hear from other trainees with any issues to raise and  I can be contacted via Harriet Innes, Specialty Manager, in the AUGIS office at harriet@augis.org

John Hammond
President, AUGISt