{"id":159,"date":"2026-06-25T09:09:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T23:09:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/escope.ages.com.au\/july-2026\/?p=159"},"modified":"2026-06-25T10:38:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T00:38:15","slug":"bridging-the-divide-highlights-from-the-ages-xxxvi-annual-scientific-meeting-auckland-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/escope.ages.com.au\/july-2026\/bridging-the-divide-highlights-from-the-ages-xxxvi-annual-scientific-meeting-auckland-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Bridging the Divide: Highlights from the AGES XXXVI Annual Scientific Meeting, Auckland 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\t\tBridging the Divide: Highlights from the AGES XXXVI Annual Scientific Meeting, Auckland 2026\t<\/h1>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"AGES_Symposium_2026_691_resized\"\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t

For the first time in the Society’s history, the AGES Annual Scientific Meeting crossed the Tasman, touching down in Auckland for three days of science, surgery, and spirited debate. Held at the newly opened New Zealand International Convention Centre against the backdrop of the sparkling Waitemat\u0101 Harbour, the meeting brought together gynaecologists, surgeons, and trainees from across Australasia and beyond from the 12th to 14th of March 2026.<\/p>\n

The conference theme, Bridging the Divide – Surgical Experience vs Scientific Evidence, set the tone: to honour the wisdom earned in the operating theatre while embracing the power of emerging research and innovation to guide and refine surgical practice.\u00a0<\/p>\n\t

\"\"<\/strong>A Welcome Fit for Aotearoa<\/strong><\/p>\n

AGES President and Conference Chair Dr Michael Wynn-Williams, alongside Scientific Co-Chairs Dr Simon Edmonds and Dr Olivia Smart, welcomed delegates to this inaugural AGES ASM on Aotearoa’s soil.<\/p>\n

The meeting opened with a traditional M\u0101ori welcome ceremony, setting a powerful and moving tone for the days ahead. The performance was a striking reminder of the significance of gathering on this land and of the values of unity and collective strength. It was received with great respect by delegates, many of whom were experiencing a p\u014dwhiri for the first time.<\/p>\n

This spirit was captured in the proverb chosen to anchor the meeting: Kotahi te k\u0101kaho, ka whati; ki te k\u0101puia, e kore e whati – a reed alone will break; bound together, it will not. It proved an apt metaphor for what unfolded across the three days.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

International Perspectives<\/strong><\/p>\n

The international keynote speakers set a high standard from the outset. A\/Prof Sukhbir (Sony) Singh, Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Ottawa opened the conference with sessions on the pedagogy of surgical skills before presenting in depth on endometriosis and pelvic pain – areas in which his research group has produced more than 150 publications. His pragmatic approach to translating evidence into operative technique was a recurring theme throughout his presentations.<\/p>\n

The Inaugural introduction of\u00a0 Surgical Coaching <\/strong><\/p>\n

The eagerly anticipated sessions on surgical coaching, were led by international keynote Dr Cara King, Head of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, and Vice President of the Academy for Surgical Coaching.<\/p>\n

For many AGES members, this was a first encounter with surgical coaching as a formal discipline – and it did not disappoint. The Academy for Surgical Coaching, provides a framework for individual surgeons, national societies, and academic centres to integrate surgical coaching and empower surgeons at any career stage. Surgical coaching has the potential not only to enhance performance but also to decrease burnout, increase wellbeing, and encourage meaningful professional relationships.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thus it was a proud moment for AGES to announce the induction of 18 local Australian and NZ based clinicians, from our society, who have successfully completed training with Dr King and the team at the Academy for Surgical Coaching. This will be the basis of establishing a local surgical coaching faculty that will allow access for our members to trained surgical coaches.<\/p>\n

The Great Debate: Old Dogs vs New Tricksters<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Great Debate was an entertainment highlight of the meeting – and arguably its most hotly contested session. Pitting well known, experienced senior clinicians against their innovation-minded colleagues, the motion asked whether hard-won surgical experience should trump new techniques, technologies, and evidence.<\/p>\n

The Old Dogs prevailed. Their argument – that no simulation, no published dataset, and no robotic platform replaces thousands of hours in the operating theatre alongside real patients with real complications – carried the room. But the debate was closer than the result suggested, and the New Tricksters made a compelling case that surgeons who stop learning stop improving.<\/p>\n

Surgical Leadership: A Session Worth Remembering<\/strong><\/p>\n

The surgical leadership sessions emerged as a standout highlight of the 2026 program. In a specialty where clinical excellence is assumed and professional development often takes a back seat, these sessions invited delegates to consider what leadership looks like beyond the operating list – in training, in teams, in advocacy, and in navigating institutional and systemic challenges.<\/p>\n

Speakers explored how gynaecological surgeons can lead cultural change within their hospitals, champion their trainees, and engage more effectively in the policy conversations that shape women’s healthcare.<\/p>\n

Community, Connection, and Celebrating our new fellows<\/strong><\/p>\n

The social program complemented the science very well. A Welcome Reception, following the AGES Fellowship Graduation ceremony at the NZICC evening gave delegates the chance to celebrate our new generation of surgical graduates and to reconnect with friends. This was followed by the Casino Royale Dinner and Charity Auction on Friday night, which also celebrated the winners of AGES-Hologic Hysteroscopic Fellowship 2026 – Dr Pippa Robertson, and the winner of the AGES-Medtronic Travelling Fellowship 2026 – Dr Patrick Laws.<\/p>\n

Overall, The 2026 ASM will be remembered as a milestone meeting – not only for being AGES’ first on New Zealand soil, but for the quality and range of its program. It demonstrated once again that our Society’s greatest asset is its people. We thank the Sponsors, Exhibitors, Organising Committee and YRD Team for bringing it all together.<\/p>\n\t