Learning and growing together
As we approach the end of another month, it’s astonishing to think that 2025 is just around the corner! With the festive season fast approaching, beach days will soon be upon us. Recently, my family and I returned from some fantastic anaesthesia-related travels, and I can’t help but rave about the connections I made at the Pacific Society of Anaesthetists (PSA) and Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) conferences. Engaging with so many passionate anaesthetists and exchanging stories was not only refreshing but also incredibly invigorating. I feel truly grateful for these experiences!
The Pacific Society’s conference was an absolutely inspiring experience, providing a fantastic platform to connect with anaesthetists from all over the Pacific. I was genuinely moved by the remarkable work they are doing with limited resources and the outstanding outcomes they’re achieving. A heartfelt thank you to the amazing locums who made it possible for our Pacific colleagues to join us! If you’re eager to support this vibrant community, why not consider attending the PSA conference in beautiful Fiji next year (September 1-5) or exploring exciting locum opportunities? The Global Health Committee are taking expressions of interest online here.
This week, I also had the pleasure of attending the Real World Anaesthesia course in Ōtautahi. The breadth of knowledge shared by the faculty was absolutely incredible, and it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded anaesthetists from NZ and Australia. The hands-on learning of drawover anaesthesia was particularly valuable, especially for those considering work in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to upskill or broaden their horizons in this field.
On a reflective note, I want to thank Dr Sheila Hart for her immense contributions to the NZSA during her extended term as immediate past president. Her mentorship and unwavering support have been invaluable, reminding me of the importance of learning from those who have navigated our paths before us.
I recently had the privilege of meeting past president Dr John Moodie (1983-1984) and thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his experiences and the unique challenges he faced during his presidency.
Not long now until the Waitematā Aotearoa NZ Anaesthesia ASM and Aotearoa NZ Perioperative Symposium in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (it’s not too late to register yet either). Here’s to continuing to learn and grow together in our amazing anaesthesia community!
