27 October 2025

Twenty years ago, two societies came together to form a new force in colorectal science - one rooted in collaboration, education, and shared ambition. The European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) was born in 2005 from the unification of the European Association of Coloproctology (EACP) and the European Council of Coloproctology (ECCP). It was a moment of vision and trust - and a commitment to building something greater, together. Today, that vision has grown into one of the most respected scientific societies in the field of colorectal disease. ESCP now connects over 2,000 members across Europe and a global network of more than 14,000 colorectal professionals. Through evidence-based guidelines, international research collaborations, educational programmes, and its landmark annual congress, the Society continues to play a leading role in advancing the science and practice of colorectal surgery. But beyond the numbers lies something deeper. At its core, ESCP is a community grounded in shared values - excellence, inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous learning. These principles have guided the Society from its earliest days and continue to shape its identity today. Much of this journey has been shaped by those who stepped forward to lead it — individuals who brought vision, resilience, and their unique perspectives to moments of both change and growth. This 20-year milestone is a chance to hear from them - in their own words. Through a series of reflections, we honour their contributions, trace the Society’s evolution, and celebrate the leadership and values that made it all possible. This isn’t just a look back - it’s a living archive of insight, progress, and shared purpose in colorectal science.It’s also a moment to look ahead. The next 20 years will bring fresh challenges: growing research demands, evolving technologies, workforce pressures, and the ongoing need for surgical excellence. But the same values that built ESCP - openness, rigour, and community - are the ones that will carry it forward. As we mark this anniversary, we do so with deep respect for what has been built - and renewed commitment to what comes next.20 years. One Society. Thousands of voices. One shared vision and purpose.

17 October 2025

The purpose of this new working group is to develop and coordinate impactful humanitarian initiatives aligned with our society’s mission. The group will focus on identifying priority areas for surgical relief, establishing strategic partnerships with humanitarian organizations, and creating comprehensive guidelines for surgical outreach in underserved and crisis-affected populations globally. Aybala Yildiz, Chair (Turkey) Eloy Espin Basany, ex-officio (Spain) Per J Nilsson, ex-officio (Sweden) Roland Scherer, ex-officio (Germany) Aybala Yildiz, Chair Aybala Yildiz Current position Private Yildiz Clinic (Founder, Professor of General Surgery) Ankara/Turkiye (since 2023) Ufuk University School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery (Lecturer) Ankara/Turkiye (since 2023) The Society of Pelvic Floor Disorders Ankara/Turkiye (President, since 2024) Medical School Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara/Turkiye (Graduated in 2004) General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery Training General Surgery Residency 2005-2010: University of Health Sciences School of Medicine; Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital General Surgery Resident Representative Turkish Republic Ministry of Health Resident Representative Turkish Medical Association Resident Representative General Surgery Consultant 2010-2012: Viransehir State Hospital/Sanliurfa/Turkiye Mandatory Service of Turkish Ministry of Health in low income regions of the country for 18 months Founder of Proctology Unit Chair of Proctology Unit Procurement Committee Assistant Professor, General Surgery 2012-2014: Kirikkale University School of Medicine Emergency Surgery Subunit, Lead Consultant Colorectal Surgery, Consultant Associate Professor, General Surgery 2015-2020: • Yildirim Beyazit University, Yenimahalle Training and Research Hospital• Head of General Surgery Clinic Founder of Surgical Endoscopy Unit Founder of Proctology Outpatient Unit Head of Wound Care Unit• Chair of Resident Training Committee Professor, General Surgery 2020-2023: University of Health Sciences, School of Medicine; Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital Chair of General Surgery Department Main clinical and research interests Pelvic Floor Disorders Proctology Research and Communication Surgical Education Related Fields of General Surgery on Women Health Member of the Humanitarian Working Group since 2025 Additional information President of The Society of Pelvic Floor Disorders Turkish Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery Turkish Medical Association Turkish Surgical Association ESCP ACS

5 January 2025

Another landmark for ESCP - we now have a full in-house secretariat! Read our announcement here > Our dynamic secretariat team work remotely providing day-to-day support to its members and committees. You can contact the team by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone +44 07349 724 383. Opening hours are: Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:30 GMT. Vanessa McCourt, Executive Director Vanessa McCourt Current position Executive Director Professional background I joined Integrity Events in 2016 as ESCP Secretariat Coordinator and never looked back! Fun personal fact I qualified as a PADI Divemaster and Nitrox Diver whilst living in Sharm El Sheikh for a year. While there I also got the opportunity to travel the Western Desert of Egypt from Siwa into Libya and Sudan and back up to Cairo! Carla Fitzpatrick, Sponsorship and Conference Manager Carla Fitzpatrick Current position Sponsorship and Conference Manager Professional background An event manager for 30 years, I began working with blue chip pharmaceutical companies in a medical communications agency. I was introduced to association work by Integrity Events in 2010, working with ESCP and ACPGBI. Fun personal fact True to my Italian-Irish heritage, I have a passion for hosting. From Christmas lunches (22 guests being my record!) to summer BBQs. I love creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for friends and family. In my spare time, I am training my working cocker spaniel, Paddy, to work in the field. It's a rewarding experience that combines my love for dogs and the great outdoors  

5 September 2024

Christina Fleming Tina van Loon Franco Marinello Christina Fleming Christina Fleming Current position Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Appointed 2022. Medical school University College Cork, Cork, Ireland (2011) General surgical and colorectal training Basic and Higher Surgical Training Programmes RCSI (2012-2021) Robotic Colorectal Surgery Fellowship, CHU Bordeaux, France (2021-2022) Main clinical and research interests Colorectal cancer Pelvic floor disorders Robotic surgery Member of the DEI Working Group since 2022 Additional information PhD, Inflammation and Metabolism in Colorectal Cancer, University College Cork, Ireland PROGRESS Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) (2022) ESCP Robotic Surgery Fellow, CHU Bordeaux (2021-2022) ESCP Programme Committee Member (2021-2024) Specialty Lead, RCSI Robotic Surgery National Advisory Committee Scientific Advisory Committee, National Surgical Research Support Centre, RCSI Surgical Oncology Lead, Limerick Cancer Trials Unit, Limerick Ireland Tina van Loon Tina van Loon Current position Fellow of Gastrointestinal, Colorectal and Robotic Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands, since June 2022 Medical school University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands, graduated in 2013 General surgical and colorectal training General surgical training: Elisabeth TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands (Jan 2014 to June 2018) Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (July 2018 to Sept 2019) Colorectal/GI training: Pantein Hospital, Boxmeer, The Netherlands (Oct 2019 to Dec 2019) Elisabeth TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands (Jan 2020 to June 2021) Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands - robotic colorectal training (July 2021 to Dec 2021) Elisabeth TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands (Jan 2022 to March 2022) Fellowship colorectal and robotic surgery (since June 2022) - current position see above FEBS Coloproctology (Sept 2023) Main clinical and research interests Clinical interests: Benign (especially IBD and endometriosis) and malignant colorectal cancer surgery, Robotic colorectal and abdominal wall surgery Research interests: Use of stomas in colorectal surgery Improvement using pathways in colorectal surgery Perianal fistula treatment Member of the DEI Working Group since 2022 Additional information ESCP Education committee member 2017-2023 Dutch Society of ColoRectal Surgery board member 2017-2022 EBSQ Colorectal Surgery organising committee since 2016 Linkedin: ytvanloon PhD-thesis: STOMA - Challenges in stoma surgery and patient management (2022, University of Maastricht, co-promotor Dr. D.D.E. Zimmerman, promotor prof. dr. L.P.S. Stassen) Franco Marinello Franco Marinello Current position Colorectal Surgeon, Vall d’Hebrón University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain Medical school Cordoba National University, Argentina. Graduated in 2005. General surgical and colorectal training Resident in General Surgery at Hospital Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain Fellow of Colorectal Surgery at Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain Main clinical and research interests Pelvic floor disorders Neuromodulation Low anterior resection syndrome Member of the DEI Working Group since 2022

5 September 2024

The European Society for Coloproctology (ESCP) is a vibrant society with a growing membership of over 2000 members. Primarily, the ESCP is a scientific society with the aim of promoting a culture of research, training and education, in an effort to improve the outcomes of our patients and to optimise clinical practice. In the setting of global cultural changes our society is changing too... Surgery has been a homogeneous specialty for a long time, with its professionals originating predominately from white, higher socio-economic groups, with one or more parents with a university background, heterosexual - and mostly male. This has resulted in a certain culture which appreciated specific leadership styles and personal qualities. Unfortunately many surgeons who do not fit this specific profile face barriers in becoming - and staying - surgeons and in advancing their professional careers and obtaining equal opportunities. Female surgeons may face specific challenges such as discrimination and strain from pregnancy and childcare, the penalty for motherhood and lack of available mentorship and promotorship. Whereas gender parity is important, it is not just women who form a minority group within the ESCP. For instance, colleagues with a non-cis sexual orientation may not always feel free to be 'out' within our society. Trainees who come from a low socio-economic background may also struggle to become members and to play an active role in the society. With racial and religious disparities persistently prevalent within health care worldwide, improved representation of minority groups in all layers of leadership is important for advocating for the wellbeing and safety of our patients. DEI Working Group The DEI Working Group is committed to making sure that ESCP members experience the society as a safe and inclusive group of people where everyone feels welcome, and to provide our talented and passionate members with the opportunities to thrive, irrespective of their backgrounds. Understanding the value of diversity of our members, and appreciating the input from all geographical areas is vital: diversity, equity and inclusion look different in every culture. View members of the working group here > We are happy to hear your thoughts and input, let us know how we as a society and working group can support you! Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. DEI Sessions at ESCP Conferences Thessaloniki 2024 Women’s Networking Breakfast Session Vilnius 2023 Barriers to surgical education for LIC trainees - can we do better? Promoting equal access to learning opportunities at a hospital level Promoting diversity - the scientific society role Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity working group Dublin 2022 Diversity and Fairness in 2022 Vienna 2019 Women in colorectal surgery