Your Executive at Work -August

As I write this, I am aware in three short months I will be stepping down and handing the baton to President Elect, Andrew Day. I am proud of our achievements and the work we continue to progress.

Since I last wrote in May one of our key focuses has been trainee placements for 2025 (Match). Dr Frank Weilert led Match again this year facilitating two days of interviews. This year, with the help of Equity Working Group Chair, Alex Lampen-Smith and member, James Irwin, the interview questions where revised with an equity lens. The placement process saw a change with final trainee placements being set by the Executive who considered both trainee preference and panel member choices. Final placements have been made and training facilities are looking forward to welcoming trainees in 2025. I'd like to thank everyone who helped us with the selection process and welcome our future gastroenterologists to the profession.

In the last few months, we have held a Hepatology Network Meeting in Auckland convened by Dr John Perry. 70 delegates attended in person or streamed in. Earlier this month convenors, Charlotte Daker, Chris Cederwall and Alasdair Patrick welcomed 50 plus delegates to the Inaugural Motility Summit. We will also welcome 10 trainees to the Introduction to Endoscopy course facilitated by Dr Judy Huang. Discussions are already under way for the 2025 Educational Programme which will include an exciting opportunity to attend an IBD focused event in April.

We are looking forward to the premiere event of our year, the Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) which is set for 27 to 29 November in Hamilton. Convenors Jerry Chin and Melissa Haines with assistance from our event management team at Conference Innovators have a terrific programme planned. We are also proud to be able to offer an Endoscopy Master Class the Tuesday prior to the ASM. You can find out more about both events at https://www.gastroconference.co.nz/

We have also begun work on a new Membership Platform which will go live in 2025 with governance from the Executive.

Recently I have been focusing on the revision of the NZSG Rules with help from our past leaders to ensure the rules are prepared for our re-registration as an incorporated society. Members will receive the revised Rules prior to the AGM and vote on the adoption of them at the AGM scheduled during ASM 2024. We are also preparing to welcome several new members to the Executive during AGM 2024. If you're interested in being part of this productive, collegial team or know a member who would make a great addition to the Committee please look out for our call for nominations in October.

Professor Catherine Stedman
President