Mehmet Ayhan Kuzu is ESCP President Elect and Professor at Ankara University, Department of General Surgery.
Name: Mehmet Ayhan Kuzu
Current position and hospital: Professor at Ankara University, Department of General Surgery
ESCP Executive position: President Elect
Main clinical and research interests: Colorectal cancer, clinical anatomy
What made you want to specialise in colorectal surgery?
During my residency there is a less attention focused on sphincter saving surgery for both cancer and IBD.
What is the best part of the job?
Education - I have created colorectal DVD and a virtual academy for Turkish Colorectal Society.
How long have you been involved in ESCP and what made you want to become involved?
I was the first member, and first to pass EBSQ, from Turkey - and joined the society since Erlangen Meeting since 2002.
What do you value most about being involved in ESCP?
It is not only a European but a Global colorectal society.
Tell us your best ESCP conference anecdote?
It was in Erlangen and I presented a quality of life study investigating the permanent stoma patients following APR in the main auditory. I was the only one from Turkey and honoured a lot.
What would your one bit of advice for younger surgeons starting their career in colorectal surgery be?
Be patient and resilient.