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 organisations, and creating comprehensive guidelines for surgical outreach in underserved and crisis-affected populations globally.
Chair
Advisory Board
- Eloy Espin Basany (Spain), ex-officio
- Per J Nilsson (Sweden), ex-officio
- Roland Scherer (Germany), ex-officio
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Aybala Yildiz (Turkey), Chair
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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
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Pedro Botelho (Portugal)
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Pedro Botelho
Current position
General Surgery Consultant, specialised in colorectal surgery, member of the Colorectal Unit of the Unidade Local de Saúde de São José, Lisbon, Portugal (since 2022).
Medical school
Charles University of Prague, Faculty of Medicine of Pilsen, Czech Republic (graduated in 2012)
General surgical and colorectal training
- General Surgery Residency: Hospital Garcia de Orta (2016-2022)
- Colorectal Surgery Training: Unidade Local de Saúde de São José, Lisbon, Portugal (since 2022)
Main clinical and research interests
- Minimally invasive colorectal surgery (laparoscopic and robotic techniques)
- Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in colorectal patients
- Quality of life outcomes after colorectal procedures
Member of the Humanitarian Working Group since
2026
Additional information
- Active involvement in international educational programmes in colorectal surgery, including participation in faculty and organisational roles in surgical courses and workshops.
- Contributor to clinical research projects in colorectal surgery, with a focus on outcomes and innovation in minimally invasive techniques.
- Interest in contributing to initiatives aimed at improving access to safe colorectal surgical care, education, and capacity building in low-resource settings.
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Elisa Tomada (Italy)
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Elisa Tomada
Current position
Colorectal Surgeon, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
Medical school
Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy (graduated in 2019)
General surgical and colorectal training
- General Surgery Residency Training Humanitas Research Hospital, Humanitas University, Milan (2021-2026). Director Prof. Antonino Spinelli.
- Observer at Colorectal Surgery Unit, at Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal (February 2024)
- Clinical Research Fellow in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the Department of Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital (May 2024 to April 2025)
Main clinical and research interests
Junior colorectal surgeon with a primary interest in oncologic research in rectal cancer and the advancement of minimally invasive surgical techniques. Focus on optimizing surgical strategies and improving oncologic and functional outcomes through patient-centered approaches.
Strong commitment to promoting equitable access to high-quality care globally through training, capacity building, and sustainable international collaboration.
Member of the Humanitarian Working Group since
2026
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