Pamela Buchwald is Chair of ESCP's Research Committee Chair. She is a consultant colorectal surgeon and Associate Professor at Skåne University Hospital.
Name: Pamela Buchwald
Current position and hospital: Consultant colorectal surgeon and Associate Professor, Skåne University Hospital
ESCP Executive position: Research Committee Chair
Main clinical and research interests: pelvic exenteration (beyond TME), CRC, diverticulitis, IBD
Social Media Handles: You'll find me on LinkedIn
What made you want to specialise in colorectal surgery?
I was drawn to colorectal surgery thanks to fantastic colleagues who encouraged and supported me when I was a junior doctor.
What is the best part of the job?
The best part of the job is the opportunity to continuously improve care for patients, both through clinical work and through research and implementation of new knowledge. Seeing those improvements translate into better outcomes and hearing directly from patients about the difference it makes is particularly rewarding.
How long have you been involved in ESCP and what made you want to become involved?
I have been involved in ESCP for many years now, gradually becoming more engaged over time. I had the opportunity to do an ESCP fellowship, later became the national representative and after that got engaged in committee work.
What do you value most about being involved in ESCP?
The network. ESCP brings together surgeons at all stages of their careers with a shared ambition to improve colorectal care. It creates opportunities for collaboration that would be difficult to establish otherwise, whether that’s multicentre studies, guideline development, or simply exchanging ideas. It’s a very open and supportive environment.
Tell us your best ESCP conference anecdote?
One of the most memorable moments was seeing how quickly a casual conversation at a conference turned into a real research collaboration. What started as a discussion over coffee ended up developing into a multicentre project involving several countries. It really captures what ESCP does best, turning informal connections into meaningful progress.
What would your one bit of advice for younger surgeons starting their career in colorectal surgery be?
Stay curious and get involved in research early. Colorectal surgery is a field that is constantly evolving, and understanding the evidence behind what you do is just as important as developing technical skills. Also, don’t underestimate the value of collaboration, both locally and internationally, it will shape your career in ways you don’t expect.