From the President's Desk
Lessons
06 May 2025
(Last updated: 6 May 2025 10:13)
From the President’s Desk
Lessons
Most weeks pass in a blur, packed with activity and full of momentum, and before you know it, another one begins. This was one of those weeks. But taking a moment to pause, I found it had been full of meaningful conversations, relationship-building (new and old), steady progress, and reminders of why this role is not only a responsibility but also a platform and a privilege.
Six weeks into the post, I hadn’t expected to write quite so regularly. But these reflections have become part of my rhythm: a way to step back, take stock, and share what’s happening behind the scenes. Importantly, they’re part of a deliberate shift in response to a message we heard from our membership: a desire for more openness, transparency, and communication. I’ve taken that to heart. My aim is for this role, and the work of our Society, to feel visible, approachable, and enabling; not remote or regulatory.
Enabling, Not Regulating
The most significant development this week was the appointment of Doug West as our new Honorary Secretary. I want to thank and acknowledge Rana Sayeed, whose calm insight and dedication as Hon Sec have been hugely appreciated. I’ve known both Doug and Rana for years. Doug and I were trainees together at the Royal Brompton, and Rana and I were senior fellows at Toronto General. Doug brings a fresh perspective and great experiences, and I look forward to working with him closely. I also look forward to continuing to work with Rana as he takes on an important representative role for SCTS at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
In the same week, I’ve spoken with colleagues at different stages of the surgical journey: a foundation doctor thinking about next steps, a trainee preparing for exams abroad, a senior resident building their USP for a consultant post, consultants moving from leadership roles, and senior colleagues about the importance and role of the older surgeon. Each of these exchanges reminded me that our job as a Society is not to police, but to enable.
Communication and Culture
Over Easter, I sent a few brief, fact-filled emails while away. They were intended to enable. At the time, they felt efficient, but on reflection (and with fair feedback), I recognise they may have come across as curt. It was a timely reminder that tone matters. Whatever the good intention, when something does not land well, an apology, coupled with a genuine intent to do better, helps. These moments shape how I want to lead: with thought, care, and an open door.
Relationships and Progress
This week also included valuable conversations with industry such as Medtronic, touching on ERAS-C, philanthropy, and practical issues like cannula supply. We also had a very productive meeting with NICOR to discuss congenital surgery, and how it can remain constructively and collegially represented in national reporting.
Our links with the Federation of Surgical Specialty Associations (FSSA) and the Royal College of Surgeons of England continue to evolve. Across all this work, we are exploring how to enable and amplify the patient voice, and how to ensure our units feel supported and connected, not isolated.
Global Connections
Several of our colleagues, including our Secretary and President-Elect Enoch Akowuah, have been at AATS 2025, actively representing us on the global stage. Despite the distance, they have remained engaged with ongoing SCTS business, for which I am grateful.
I was particularly proud to see one of our senior residents present on our early thoracic surgery experience with the CMR Surgical robotic platform. That this work was featured at AATS in Seattle reflects how UK-led innovation is still being recognised internationally. It is a tribute to team effort, ingenuity and persistence that enables surgical progress.
Innovation in Focus
I also had my first hands-on experience with the Apple Vision Pro. It's evident that immersive technologies will shape future surgical planning and teaching. We are also progressing well with 3D reconstruction tools for segmentectomy, systems that allow more precise anatomical visualisation and planning. These tools will not replace surgical judgement, but they will enable and enhance it.
Returning to the Operating Room
I was fortunate to have three operating lists this week: VATS procedures, a robotic thymectomy using new instrumentation, and an open (redo) thoracoabdominal reconstruction alongside our general surgery colleagues. These moments in theatre lift me and remind me that, no matter the leadership or administrative load, the patient and the operation remain at the heart of our mission.
Outside the Hospital
We had a family barbecue this week, fun, delicious and always served with suggestions for improvement! I missed my son’s football match due to an extra list, which stings, but having family still around after Easter has been great. I have started cycling to work again, and Cambridge is especially beautiful and full of flowers at this time of year. The pace and fresh air of those morning rides has been enabling, given me time to think, and space to be grateful.
And so, my lessons:
Be kind. Communicate with care. Apologise when needed and mean it. Enable others to succeed. Embrace innovation. Stay close to surgery. Take time to notice the good days, because they are there, and they matter.
Thanks to the SCTS Team for their great support, and this week a special thank you to Sri Rathinam, our communication secretary for all he is doing, and putting up with me and editing this series.
Aman S Coonar
SCTS President
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