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From the President’s Desk

Everything is Connected

12 May 2025 (Last updated: 12 May 2025 10:28)

From the President’s Desk

Everything is Connected

In cardiothoracic surgery, success is never the result of one person’s skill alone. Whether in the operating theatre, the clinic, or our professional Society, everything is connected. Surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, AHPs, and many others come together, each thread weaving a tapestry of care.

Our mission at SCTS is clear: to achieve better patient outcomes through effective advocacy, the development of clinical practice, and unwavering support for our members. Every decision we make, every initiative we launch, is guided by this purpose.

As Helen Keller, the famous 1920’s activist said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Her words capture this essence of our work: a reminder that strength lies in connection which allows coordination and collaboration.

A Bumper Leadership Meeting

This week, our senior leadership team connected for an extended and highly productive meeting. It was a true bumper session, reflecting both the breadth of our ongoing work and the importance of the issues. Discussion in a safe place was respectful and diverse with different views and we hope that makes better decisions.

We reviewed four interconnected priorities: stronger management, ‘Friends of SCTS’, sustainable funding growth, and digital expansion. Our discussions also went further. We explored a wide range of matters affecting our members, from clinical practice improvements to strengthening our relationships with other organisations.

We also welcomed Doug West as he takes over the role of Honorary Secretary, working closely with Rana Sayeed in a transition.

Leadership changes, like successful surgical handovers, are moments of connection, careful communication and coordination. This aims to ensure continuity without losing momentum.

Building a Stronger SCTS for Sustainable Growth

To ensure SCTS continues to be able to achieve its mission, we are focusing on four interconnected pillars:

  • Stronger Operational Management: we are exploring the introduction of a Chief Operating Officer/Charity Secretary, to provide leadership for our administration team and ensuring more efficient operations.
  • ‘Friends of SCTS’: a new patient and public platform, bringing together our patient centred engagement with families, carers and others to help shape our advocacy and amplify our voices
  • Sustainable Funding Growth: by diversifying and growing our income streams, we aim to maintain financial resilience, supporting our initiatives and member services.
  • Expanded Digital Presence: enhancing our online platforms to ensure SCTS remains accessible, informative, and a trusted voice in healthcare.

Celebrating Team Spirit: Sunil Bhudia’s Marathon Achievement

We are proud to celebrate Mr Sunil Bhudia, our Meeting Secretary, who completed the London Marathon, raising funds for Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity. In addition to his busy clinical and managerial roles at Harefield Hospital he is already busy developing future SCTS annual meetings! His achievement inspires us all. Please connect with him and support his fundraising efforts here.

A Personal Reflection

This past weekend was a time of reflection for me and connection with family. It marked an important milestone, and a moment of remembering those who have died. Loss has a way of sharpening our focus on what truly matters, helping us appreciate what we have.

In those quiet moments, I found myself thinking of people I have known, places I have walked, and experiences that have shaped me. We often carry forward fragments of those we have gone: their words, their kindness, their laughter, their stories and their mannerisms; and in doing so, they remain connected to our journey shaping and helping us.

Looking ahead to two important gatherings: Annual General Meeting and Executive Committee Meeting

We are looking forward to both our online AGM and our hybrid SCTS Executive Committee meeting to allow us to further connect. The AGM will gather interested members, and the ‘Exec’ will bring together our committee leads and trustees, ensuring we remain connected and aligned in our mission. We are looking forward to reviewing progress and re-focusing our many projects.

Gratitude and Continuity in Leadership

As the new team beds in we are ever more grateful to recent past Presidents, for keeping their connections. Their continued wise counsel provides experience, continuity and insights as we move forward.

Special Thanks

Also my special thanks to Mark Jones, our Treasurer, for his exceptional work on our annual returns and audit. We just could not have done it without him, and he has brought this to completion as well as other projects and a busy role in Belfast.

Thank you for your continued support and connectoin. As always, my gratitude goes to our SCTS administration team for their dedication and hard work.

Warm regards,

Aman S Coonar
President, Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (SCTS)

Reviewed and edited by Sri Rathinam, SCTS Communications Secretary.

Feedback (good or bad) is strongly encouraged and gratefully received. Please connect to SCTS Administrator Emma Piotrowski at emma@scts.org or direct to aman.coonar@nhs.net

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