Roland Scherer is ESCP's Membership Committee Chair and Head of the Center of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Surgery at Hospital Waldfriede in Berlin.
Name: Roland Scherer
Current position and hospital: Head, Center of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Surgery, Hospital Waldfriede, Berlin, Germany
ESCP Executive position: Membership Committee Chair
Main clinical and research interests: Colorectal cancer, IBD, anal fistulae and functional bowel disorders
What made you want to specialise in colorectal surgery?
Twenty years ago there was a big lack of knowledge in the colorectal field, especially in proctology, at least in Germany. So I decided to specialise in this empty field, to try to become one of the best in this area.
What is the best part of the job?
The interaction with patients and their relatives, especially concerning serious diseases like cancer and IBD.
How long have you been involved in ESCP and what made you want to become involved?
I have been a member of ESCP since 2007, active as national representative and representative for central Europe since 2014. From the very beginning I felt that the collaboration with colleagues from all over Europe and abroad is fruitful and inspiring, not only in terms of the scientific value, but also socially, on our long journey to become better human beings.
What do you value most about being involved in ESCP?
The collaboration with colleagues from different countries.
Could you tell us your best ESCP conference anecdote?
The conference dinners on the Thursday evening are always inspiring, the most impressive I remember was the evening at the Trinity College in Dublin 2015, together with all the colleagues and friends from the society in this wonderful venue with the harp music, the national instrument of Ireland. It was my first time in Dublin, but at this event and later in the pubs I got an unforgettable impression of these wonderful country.
If you had one bit of advice for younger surgeons starting their career in colorectal surgery what would it be?
Go out and observe the 'masters' in different places, learn from the best.