Seven surgeons from Interplast partner hospitals in the Asia Pacific were invited to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) in Sydney last month, thanks to the Interplast scholarships and our supporters.
Four of the surgeons from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nepal, attended as part of the Marshall International Scholarship. This scholarship was established to acknowledge the contribution of Interplast’s inaugural patron and past president of 16 years, Professor Donald Marshall AM.
One surgeon from Papua New Guinea attended as part of a short-term placement thanks to the Sir Benjamin Rank Scholarship, a scholarship established to recognise the contribution of Sir Benjamin Rank to plastic and reconstructive surgery in Australia, and 17 years with Interplast as Board Director and President.
Two surgeons from Fiji and Myanmar attended with the support of of the Baker Foundation, and the Rotary Clubs of Mt Eliza and Seaford Carrum Downs.
Interplast scholarships complement the programs delivered in our partner countries by Interplast’s volunteers. Selected medical, nursing and allied health personnel are given the opportunity to develop and strengthen their area of expertise with training opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.
Meet our scholarship recipients:
Each presented at the RACS Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) about their partnerships with Interplast and how this impacts the health and wellbeing of their local communities. Together, they met Interplast surgical, anaesthetic and nursing volunteers, many of whom are leading experts in their fields, and established relationships that will benefit their professional development for years to come.
The visiting surgeons also attended the Australasian Cleft Lip and Palate Association meeting in Sydney where Dr Than from Myanmar and Dr Awasano from PNG presented about the incidence and treatment of cleft lip and palate in their respective countries.
Thanks to our friends at Avant for supporting the Interplast event at the RACS ASC, and to Interplast supporters for funding these scholarships.
