2016 AAGL Global Congress

This year’s Scientific Planning Committee has been working non-stop to continue to bring our members the high caliber educational events and presentations they have come to expect at the annual Global Congress. Each Congress sets the bar higher for the next, so it’s been a rewarding challenge to develop innovative and engaging content, especially for the 45th year of the Congress! One sure thing is the amazing research invested into the abstracts we receive. This year, over 870 abstracts were submitted and we’re looking forward to presenting you with the best. Due to the positive reviews from last year’s Congress, we will repeat the format to include discussants during the presentation period, but we’re planning to add even more time for discussion and dialogue after each presentation.

The theme of this year’s Congress is Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology through Mentorship and Emerging Technology. However, it’s really so much more than that. The Congress is packed full of opportunities with more postgraduate courses, surgical tutorials, and panel discussions than ever before. While the postgraduate courses offer an in-depth study on exciting and relevant topics, we are proud to include a record number of surgical tutorials and panel discussions in the general sessions. These formats will offer an extended discussion for important or controversial subjects including avoiding complications, tissue extraction, cosmetogynecology, and a multi-disciplinary approach to endometriosis.

Keeping with the entertaining and educational live events of the past (Stainless Steel Surgeon and Shark Tank), I’m excited to reveal an opportunity to “Operate with the Stars!” Who among us wouldn’t love the opportunity to operate with the expert surgeons of our society we respect so much? Three lucky attendees will be randomly chosen from the audience for an exhilarating educational opportunity to be paired with an expert “Star” to mentor them through cadaveric surgery live on-stage. Special judges and audience response will provide entertaining commentary and points. While I expect this to be an extraordinarily fun event, it does emphasize the role we play as teachers and mentors to continue to advance our field. Watch for details on how to sign up to be a contestant!

In an effort to appeal to our colleagues, we are designing this year’s Congress to be more inclusive of our related gynecologic specialties. We are offering an exciting postgraduate course on advanced anatomy for our oncology and urogyn sub-specialists. We will also discuss specific issues related to infertility and endometriosis. Last year’s fellows course opened the congress and it was a huge success. Recognizing this, we are inviting all of the ob/gyn subspecialty fellows to this year’s course entitled, “Growing Up and Moving On from Fellowship.”

I’ve always considered the AAGL Global Congress a “can’t-miss” meeting for me and my team. There’s always so much useful clinical information presented at the meeting. Last year, the program committee emphasized clinical pearls. Building on that foundation, we intend to take this one step further and identify pearls for each of us to take home and implement in our practices. To enable this, we are asking presenters who lecture at each postgraduate course, surgical tutorial, or panel discussion to reveal at least one clinical pearl on their subject. We know you’ll find this to be hugely beneficial and an educational value.

As leaders, mentors, and advocates for our specialty, I encourage you to make plans to attend this year’s Global Congress to keep apprised of current topics, immerse yourself in the first-rate education, and experience the unique global camaraderie. The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando Florida is a wonderful place to hold this year’s meeting. Anyone who has visited the resort can attest to the beauty of the facilities. In addition to cutting-edge facilities, it’s a great location close to surrounding theme parks with plenty to do for the whole family. I recommend that you to check out their website and see all they have to offer including golf, spa, and plenty of other attractions to enjoy, (www.rosenshinglecreek.com). So please join me and the rest of the outstanding faculty and staff at this year’s AAGL 45th Global Congress in Orlando this November!

Sincerely yours,
Dr. Kevin Stepp
2016 Scientific Program Chair