LUBAGA HOSPITAL - REPORT ON SOCIETY OF SURGEONS OF THE ALIMENTARY TRACT (SSAT) 2016 TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP AWARD - TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE REPORT

Sep 15, 2026

Report on the 2016 Society of Surgeons of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) Travelling Fellowship Award from the perspective of a surgeon in Uganda. It outlines trip preparation, travel route, and four core objectives focused on observing GI surgeries, strengthening conventional surgical knowledge and patient care, building professional networks for ongoing consultation, and seeking training, research, and mentorship. The report summarizes conference sessions, leadership and resilience lectures, research discussions, documented ideas for proposals, sightseeing, and additional clinical exposure in Seattle including ERAS protocol experience.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Trip overview and preparation

Objectives and travel route

Conference activities in San Diego

Research conference and board meetings

Opening session and keynote lecture

GI surgery observations and documentation

SSAT events and personal take-home messages

Clinical exposure in Seattle

University of Washington Medical Center schedule

Observed surgeries and ERAS protocol learning

LUBAGA HOSPITAL P. O. Box 14130, Kampala, Uganda. Tel: +256-414-270203/4, 256-312-234800 Email: [info@lubagahospital.org](info@lubagahospital.org) REPORT ON SOCIETY OF SURGEONS OF THE ALIMENTARY TRACT (SSAT) 2016 TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP AWARD FOR SURGEONS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS I received news of being selected for this wonderful opportunity in February 2016 and immediately started preparations for the trip that I strongly believed would change my life and my perspective as a surgeon forever. I received assistance in preparation from the SSAT administrative team especially through Renee Russo and also Dr. Robin McLeod who found the hosts for the two sites. When I set out on 19th May 2016, I had set four main objectives for the trip. These were: • To observe as many GI surgeries as possible and document the best practices so that I can emulate them at home. • Improvement of knowledge base on conventional surgical procedures and patient care. • To gain meaningful acquaintances that would allow for further consultation in order to improve the care I am able to offer my patients and the teaching I offer the interns and other doctors under my care. • Look for opportunities for further training, research and mentors that would help me be abetter surgeon. I travelled from Entebbe International airport in Uganda to San Diego California via Doha in Qatar and Dallas arriving on 20th May and checked into the Omni Hotel in San Diego. On day one, I attended the residents and fellows research conference where many interesting and mind stimulating papers were presented. I was impressed with the quality of work the residents were able to do and the fine discussions made. I also met with SSAT board members and faculty from the different institutions. In the afternoon, I was able to meet with the Giving-Back Committee of the SSAT to discuss my expectations from this opportunity, share my surgical journey and future plans. That evening, we attended the residents and fellows reception and later Dr. Robin McLeod and Dr. KMarie Reid took Dr. Vikal and I to dinner. At the opening session of the SSAT meeting, Dr. Selwyn Vickers, President of the SSAT addressed the gathering on lessons learned from mentors and heroes on leadership and surgical resilience. He highlighted the stressors ofthe health sector and how we can build resilience. This was followed by a lecture from James H. Dallas who spoke on a topic he has recently authored,“mastering the challenges of leading change”. My favourite phase from this talk was,“Now is the time and I am the person.” I spent the next three days attending a number of sessions that I found both enlightening and interesting. Particularly fascinating were all the video sessions I attended, the sessions on fecal microbiota transplantation for inflammatory bowel disease and neoplastic transformation following chronic inflammation. I was able to document a few ideas that I hope to develop into research proposals. I realised that we get a lot of work done but have failed at documentation hence the lack of clear standards and practice of evidence based interventions. It is my hope that the friendships made with those that have research experience will help guide our work and grow the SSAT international collaboration with developing countries such as mine. I attended the SSAT Foundation Reception where several awards were given out and a silent auction conducted and also the Presidential Dinner on 23rd May 2016. Spent part of the time sightseeing where I visited Old town San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, Several museums and lastly crossed border into Mexico. My take home messages from this conference were; 1. Opportunity doesn’t come easy so always appreciate and maximize. 2. Partnerships and friendships last a lifetime, invest in them and nurse them. 3. Research changes medicine. Do more to broadcast surgical good practices and document for future generations. The phrase, whatever is not writ

FAQs

What were the surgeon’s main objectives for the SSAT Travelling Fellowship trip?

The objectives were to observe and document GI surgical best practices, improve knowledge in conventional procedures and patient care, build professional connections for future consultation and teaching, and seek further training, research, and mentors.

Which key learning themes were highlighted during the SSAT conference?

The opening session emphasized lessons from mentors and heroes on leadership and surgical resilience, alongside discussion of stressors in the health sector. The program also included sessions that informed research ideas, especially around fecal microbiota transplantation and transformation following chronic inflammation.

What clinical exposures and protocols were learned during the Seattle phase?

The surgeon observed multiple surgeries (including open and robot-assisted liver resection, colon resections, colectomy, pancreatectomy) and learned improved techniques and the application of ERAS protocols, with additional focus on liver metastases and colorectal cancer survival implications.

Sep 15, 2026

Upload by Alex Sinclair