On the 26th of September 2025, our Co-Presidents - Eleftheria Karouzaki and Alicja Lubinska, and Vice-President, Katherine Robertson attended the Travelling Surgical Society Conference that was hosted here at the University of Aberdeen. They were able to present some of the Ogston Surgical Societies work at the conference. 

The Travelling Surgical Society of Great Britain and Ireland was founded in 1924, and meets twice a year, once in the UK and once abroad, for educational and clinical exchanges between surgeons. This year, Ms. Aileen McKinley, the former clinical lead for the Ogston Surgical Society hosted the conference in Aberdeen. 

As part of the conference, a visit to the world’s first full body scanner was included, along with a visit to the anatomy department, and to Sir. Alexander Ogston’s grave. Several fascinating talks were given by the members of the society, and lastly the talk by the Ogston's co-president’s and vice- president. 

The talk was on the audit  “Improving Surgical Skills: an evaluation of beginner and intermediate suturing workshops” which was done in order to evaluate pre and post-effectiveness of the beginner and intermediate suturing workshops run by the society. The scope covered four workshops held in February and March 2024, with a focus of improving student satisfaction, self-confidence , skills acquisition and skills availability. Data collection tools included pre- and post event questionnaires, tutor feedback, and attendance lists. The audit identified a high student satisfaction, and a high positive increase in self-confidence improvement and skills acquisition. The audit highlighted areas of improvement such as increasing accessibility, time limitations, improving data collection and supplementing equipment. Moving forward, Ogston is keen to address these areas and ensure a better experience for future students. 

In the evening, members of the committee, including Aurora Sonkin, Sasha Coutts and Amelia Faladay, were able to attend a formal dinner at the Sandman Signature Hotel  & Spa in Aberdeen, where they were able to meet with the President of the Travelling Surgical Society, and many of it's members. They all enjoyed it immensely, and further shows what opportunities can happen through the Ogston Surgical Society.