EVENING TALKS.

 

   

 

 

The evening talks arranged by the Fausto Iannotti Surgical Society are aimed at fuelling the enthusiasm of medical students and increasing the awareness to the diversity of career options in surgery. They are not regarded as a supplement to the undergraduate curriculum.  

 

 

What goes on in the head of a brain surgeon?

with Mr Fugleholm Consultant Neurosurgeon

 

 

Thursday 9th February

 

I left lecture theatre two this evening, inspired. I've realised that inspiration is one of the most important motivational drives in life and I crave it. It was Mr Fugleholm's turn to take us on. As senior registrar to Mr Fausto Iannotti, he used red Ferraris, Italian ties and an intriguing item called "the professor's small sausage" to paint a rather humorous picture of the man with whom our society shares a name. He went on to grip us with cases he had worked through and I found my gut twisting in anticipation as he showed us the build up and process of the surgery he had been involved in. There was talk of miracles in a patient's recovery but when he led us through some of the procedures he had done, I couldn't help putting a near miraculous label on his work.
 

The title of the lecture was "What goes on in the head of a brain surgeon" and we did get a favour of that, but its was the rather intimate view into his heart through the ups and downs of his career, that I warmed to the most. To have someone like that, who you are slightly in awe of, share the positive and negative so honestly, brought the whole thing to a level that encouraged those "maybe I could do this after all" thoughts. It was so refreshing to be able to identify with someone I aspire to be like and the privilege of this glimpse into his life, I hope, will birth more passion in us to work to live those dreams!

 

Jon Holley

 

Mr Griffiths (Paediatric Surgeon)

 

Thursday 26th January 2006

 

--- Report to follow ---

 

 

 

Cosmetic Surgery with Mr Latimer-Sayer

 

Thursday 24th February 2005

An experienced cosmetic surgeon based in London, Mr Latimer-Sayer gave an impelling lecture on a controversial aspect of surgery. By stripping away the glamour and vanity associated with the specialty, he presented a profession that at its base aims primarily to improve the patient’s quality of life by improving their self-esteem, reinforcing the idea that a healthy state of mind is as important as a healthy body.

Delivered to give a general outline of cosmetic surgery, Mr Latimer-Sayer covered all the essentials including photographs of the procedures performed, the reasons why patients opt for cosmetic surgery and a comparison of standards in the field across the globe.

The talk was very informative on a subject not readily covered in the medical curriculum.   

 

'Ten reasons why I should never have become a surgeon' by Mr Neil Pearce

Thursday 27th January 2005

Mr Pearce, consultant hepato-pancreatic and biliary surgeon, gave a very amusing timeline of his life and career, highlighting what have been key periods and opportunities, times of good fortune as well as setbacks. He described early medical school which didn’t go so well for him, turning it around after the 2nd year, entering prize-writing essay competitions where often he was the only candidate, to operating by consortium with his SHO friends in his younger days right into his consultant posting and the responsibilities that comes with it. The talk was interspersed with many humorous yet reverent impressions of those who have inspired, taught and even hampered him over the years.

The talk then moved into more practical advice, outlining what qualities people considering surgery need, pros and cons of going into it, tactics for getting the jobs you want as well as what one can expect in a typical week.

The audience left feeling well informed about what to expect from a career in surgery as well as thoroughly entertained.

 

"When the bomb bursts.... do you have what it takes to be a war surgeon?"

with Lt. Col. David Vassallo.

A cluster bomb victim in Kosovo. 

February 2004

    In a moving talk dedicated to the victims of war, especially children, and to those who care for them, Lt Col David Vassallo discussed four vignettes from his time in the Royal Army Medical Corps.  This approach enabled the audience to focus in on real life wartime scenarios and gain considerable insight into the life and workings of a military surgeon.

    Lt Col Vassallo joined the British Defence Medical services as a trainee surgeon in the late 1980s, unsure if he was prepared to commit to the army for five years.  His initial fears, however, were unfounded and after five years with the T. A. he found himself joining the regular army, where he has been ever since.  He described the responsibility a junior doctor in the field is entrusted with and the breadth of interesting experiences one can expect to be exposed to, valuable for subsequent careers both inside and outside the armed forces.

    A veteran of the wars in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq, Lt Col Vassallo spoke of his disgust at the continued use of cluster bombs and shared some chilling images and narrative of the sort of damage he has witnessed them do, both during and after war.  Civilians are all too frequently affected and victims from both sides of a conflicts are often treated by the British army medics.  Lt Col Vassallo described being particularly saddened at seeing child casualties the same age as his daughter.  Lt Col Vassallo did not condone war, instead saying he felt strongly that the servicemen and women sent to risk their lives at war by men in suits deserve the best possible care.  He has always been willing to provide this, regardless of his opinion on the political justification for a war. 

    The practical aspects of military surgery were also considered: whilst much of the work is routine clinics and surgery at an army hospital in England work in the field is often at extremely short notice and with limited resources.  We heard how equipment has to be minimized and on more than one occasion staff have donated their own blood to save the lives of casualties from both sides of a conflict.  Strong bonds are formed in such desperate situations and Lt Col Vassallo described his colleagues as an extended family.  He also paid tribute to the support of his wife and children throughout his career. 

    It was a captivating talk and Lt Col Vassallo fielded numerous questions on an individual basis afterwards, having left his audience with plenty to reflect upon.  A collection for the charity Warchild raised £65 and paid testimony to a well prepared, often touching and always interesting presentation.  We thank him very much for volunteering to share these experiences with us.

 

 

'Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Real surgery or a pain in the pelvis?' with Mr. William Stones.

 

January 2004.

 

    Mr Will Stones provided a greatly entertaining and informative talk. He encouraged the audience to decide for themselves whether surgery in O&G is beneficial or detrimental when it comes to patient care and by providing examples allowed the audience to derive their own conclusions. He also took us through the pathway one takes to become an O&G surgeon and answered many questions about the balance between his personal and professional lives. The audience left the talk feeling that a career in O&G surgery could allow them to combine a surgical career with outside interests and of course, raising and spending time with a family.

 

 

 

'Royal Operations' with Professor Harold Ellis.  

 

October 2003.

 

    A thoroughly entertaining and informative dialogue, the talk gave the audience an enlightening perspective on the astounding accomplishments of historical surgeons and the startling advances that have been made in the field of surgery in the 20th century. The talk illustrated some gruesome, yet occasionally successful, primitive techniques employed by ancient civilizations, to the increasingly sophisticated techniques of this present day. Professor Ellis tells a riveting story and for an hour, breathed life into the history of surgery!

 

 

 

Maxillo-Facial Surgery with Mr. Barrie Evans.     

May 2003.

 

    Armed with a gallery of fascinating photos, Mr. Barrie Evans gave an absorbing talk on maxillo-facial surgery. His energy and enthusiasm for his profession were readily apparent, affording the audience a fascinating insight into the incredible outcomes that can be achieved in 'Max-Fax' surgery. Mr. Evans also paid tribute to Fausto Iannotti and expressed his pleasure that the society has incorporated his name.

 

 

 

Women in Surgery with Ms. Karen Nugent.    

April 2003.  

 

    Ms Nugent spoke frankly and with gentle humour about her own career as a widely respected colo-rectal surgeon. She discussed her specialty and painted an enlightening picture of daily life, both at work and at home, reassuring us that it is still possible to combine a distinguished career with a family.

 

 

 

A Career in Surgery with Professor John Primrose.    

March 2003.  

    Professor Primrose gave a very informative and highly enjoyable talk about the structure of surgical training in various specialties and highlighted the recent and potential future changes in these paths. He also offered valuable advice on how to present yourself as a desirable candidate for jobs and answered many questions from inquisitive students.