The southern hemisphere’s largest multidisciplinary surgical meeting will return in 2026 when the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) brings its 94th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from Thursday 30 April to Sunday 3 May.
Surgeons, Trainees, researchers and healthcare leaders from across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the world will gather to explore this year’s theme, The art and science of collaboration.
Highlights of the program include keynote sessions exploring global health ethics, the future of artificial intelligence in medicine, and the evolving professional and ethical challenges facing modern healthcare.
- Professor Annie Sparrow, internationally recognised paediatric intensivist and global health expert, will deliver The politics of professionalism. This plenary will draw on Professor Sparrow’s decades of frontline work in conflict and humanitarian settings to explore the weaponisation of healthcare in war.
- Dr Jordan Nguyen, engineer, inventor and biomedical innovator, will explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and emerging medical technologies in his plenary, asking: I’m a surgeon: will I still have a job in 10 years?
- Chelsea Gordon, a legal and strategic advisor to hospitals, government and private healthcare providers, will join Dr Nguyen, discussing how AI is being implemented safely and responsibly in highly regulated sectors such as healthcare.
- Dr Mohit Bhandari (India), leading bariatric and robotic surgeon and president of IRCAD India, will be explore = how advances in robotics and digital connectivity are rapidly reshaping the way surgeons operate, collaborate and teach in Across oceans – at the console: the reality of telerobotic surgery.
The Congress will also feature an impressive lineup of local and international speakers, including:
Professor Nehmatt Houssami (Sydney, Australia) – on the latest updates and suggested guidelines to refine our National Breast Screen Program
Conjoint Professor Carolyn Hullick FACEM – (NSW, Australia) – on improving emergency care for older patients
Professor Joon Pio Hong (Seoul, South Korea) – on reconstructive microsurgery, wound healing and supermicrosurgery innovations
Professor Matteo Rottoli (Bologna, Italy) – on minimally invasive and robotic colorectal surgery
Dr Anna Ibele (Utah, USA) – on the impact of obesity and bariatric surgery on cancer risk
Lt. Col Steven Jeffery (Birmingham, UK) – on burns and plastic surgery in austere and military environments
Dr Anjay Khandelwal (Ohio, USA) – on advances in burn surgery, reconstructive techniques and global burn care
The RACS Annual Scientific Conference is the College’s flagship educational event and is recognised as one of the most significant surgical meetings in the region. It showcases the latest in surgical research, emerging technologies and advances in patient care, while providing a forum for collaboration across nine surgical specialties, plus a host of subspecialties and interest groups.
ASC Convener Associate Professor Mary Theophilus said this year’s theme reflects the reality that modern surgery hinges on strong partnerships across medicine, science and technology.
“Progress in surgery has always relied on collaboration,” Associate Professor Theophilus said.
“Today that collaboration extends far beyond the operating theatre. It includes sharing knowledge with other disciplines, forging partnerships with researchers and industry, and integrating new technologies like robotics and artificial intelligence into surgical practice.
“ASC 2026 will bring together surgeons and experts from across healthcare to explore how these collaborations are shaping the future of surgical care.”
The Congress will also include the College’s Convocation Ceremony, where newly qualified surgeons are formally welcomed as Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
“ASC is an opportunity for the surgical community to come together to learn from one another, challenge ideas and strengthen the relationships that ultimately improve patient care,” Associate Professor Theophilus said.
“It is also a chance to showcase the extraordinary work of surgeons across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.”
For more information about the RACS Annual Scientific Congress, visit:
https://asc.surgeons.org
