SCALPEL II
Gimbernat Surgical Symposium 2021
Welcome to the second edition of Scalpel!
This year, amidst considerable effort and navigating the challenges of a pandemic, we successfully organized the Gimbernat Surgical Symposium – Second Edition. Extending the symposium to a four-day event, we meticulously adapted all logistics to align with the current COVID-19 situation. Despite the challenges, the outcome has been excellent, and the Student Committee takes great pride in its success.
In response to the circumstances, this year’s conferences were conducted virtually and recorded for wider accessibility. The attached video includes the opening addresses by our Honorary President, Professor Manuel Pera, along with the Vice President, Ada Cardiel, and Secretary, Adrián López, of the Gimbernat Surgical Society.
Professor Miguel Pera introduced the session, and Professor José M. Balibrea, a surgeon at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, delivered a lecture titled “What Defines Academic Surgery in the 21st Century?” The second conference, titled “Recharge Yourself with Energy – How to Face the Medical Career,” featured guest speaker Belén Ramírez, an executive coach. She shared insights on organizing medical careers not only from a productive working perspective but also considering emotional, physical, and mental health.
The symposium concluded with a Roundtable on “Humanism in Surgery – Now More Needed Than Ever.” Led by Professor Jonathan McFarland, President of “The Doctor as a Humanist” international project, the session included contributions from renowned figures in Medical Humanities: Jacek Mostwin from The Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, USA), Ourania Varsou from the University of Glasgow (UK), and Héctor Guadalajara, head of Surgery at Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz (Madrid, Spain). Students from the Gimbernat Surgical Association, Pelayo Aguilera and Adrián López, also participated.
The symposium’s closing featured Pelayo and Adrián presenting the “Best Teacher of the Year Award” to Dr. Juan Guzmán, a faculty member from the Department of General Surgery at Hospital del Mar.
In addition to the enlightening conferences, our students had the opportunity to enhance their clinical skills in various workshops: Basic Cardiac Surgery, Training in Basic Laparoscopic Skills, Arthroscopic Skills, Basic Surgical Skills in Dermatology, Suturing Skills, and Simulated Trauma Scenarios.
A heartfelt thanks go to all professors, speakers, organizers, participants, and sponsors who contributed to the success of this event. We eagerly anticipate seeing you all again next year!