The summer break is such an excellent opportunity to recharge, and I hope, like me, you’ve had the chance to spend time relaxing with family and friends.

Now I’ve returned to my clinical and pro bono work, it is with renewed energy and I’m feeling particularly excited about what 2025 holds for the College and my work as president.

One initiative I am particularly proud of is the launch of the Northern Territory (NT) Rural Training Pathway. After four years of chairing the RACS Rural Health Equity Steering Committee, it is great to see progress on workforce shortages in remote and rural settings. Led by the RACS Australian Board in General Surgery and supported by the NT government and local healthcare partners, the pathway gives aspiring general surgeons the chance to train in the NT. The goal is to encourage them to stay and serve the local communities after graduation.

RACS closed the year with improved governance, a firm financial footing and a stronger position as leaders in surgical education and training, standards, research and advocacy. This year we have a plan for continued improvement, especially looking to amplify our impact in advocacy and engagement, modernise the core RACS services and pursue cost efficiencies which can be passed on to our members and Trainees. Strengthening relationships with surgical societies is also a major focus, as we know that a unified and collaborative network leads to better outcomes for both our members and their patients.

On the topic of advocacy, I have recently been acting as Chair of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) and am in fact Chair-Elect and honoured to be taking up the role in 2026. This work has highlighted, for me, the power of the collective. I see the strong position we are in this year to raise the profile of issues that are important to surgeons and their patients, especially with the federal election coming up in Australia this year. Areas of particular focus for our ongoing healthcare advocacy—on both sides of the Tasman—include workforce shortages, rural and Indigenous health equity and healthcare systems that put clinical decision making at the centre.

Although the year has only just begun, excitement is already starting to build around the RACS ASC in Sydney in May. We have received more than 1000 abstracts and a lot of interest around our keynote speaker Dr Glaucomflecken. We’re also pleased to have been able to accommodate feedback, offering a compressed program and more cross-disciplinary content. The provisional program is out, and registrations are open. I encourage you to sign up.

In attendance at the ASC will be presidents of several other surgical colleges and in 2025 we will continue to build relationships with overseas colleges, including those in Britain, Ireland and the Asean region. It is through these connections that RACS is recognised as a global leader for surgical standards and quality care, with the FRACS post nominal a symbol of excellence and trust in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

I’d like to wish a happy Lunar New Year to those celebrating. Wishing you good health, happiness, and prosperity as we welcome the Year of the Snake.

Our colleagues in Aotearoa New Zealand have just acknowledged Waitangi Day—a significant day recognising Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We hope for unity and respect between our Māori and non-Māori colleagues and are dedicated as a College to working towards a better future with equity in access and outcomes to excellent surgical care for all people.

Thank you all for your dedication to our profession and our College. I’m excited for the year ahead and what we will achieve together.

Warm regards,
Associate Professor Kerin Fielding
President