St. George’s University welcomed students, faculty, and global health leaders to Grenada from August 29–31 for the fifth InciSioN Global Surgery Symposium (IGSS) 2025. The event brought participants together to exchange ideas, build skills, and collaborate on solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in surgical care.
Held in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation, IGSS 2025 explored the theme “Transdisciplinary Solutions for Stronger Surgical Systems.” The conference emphasized the importance of collaboration across medicine, engineering, public health, economics, and policymaking to build resilient and equitable surgical ecosystems.
“This symposium was a true milestone for SGU and InciSioN Grenada,” said Maeve Tremis, a third-year SOM student and co-chair of the Professional Relations Committee for InciSioN Grenada. “Coordinating IGSS 2025 here in Grenada was an incredible honor. It was rewarding to see our community of students fully engaged in learning, networking, and exploring the future of global surgery.”
Hands-on learning
The three-day symposium featured a dynamic mix of workshops, keynote lectures, and panel discussions covering topics such as hurricane triage, innovations in surgery, digital advocacy, career development, and residency preparation.
One of the standout sessions was the Ultrasound Guided (USG) Workshop, where students gained hands-on training from SGU faculty on using ultrasound with standardized patients.
“Ultrasound is an increasingly vital tool in modern medicine, especially as it becomes more digital and accessible,” said Dr. Michael Montalbano, MD/MBA ’16, associate professor in the Department of Anatomical Sciences at SGU. “Introducing students to this technology early in their training ensures they gain valuable skills that will benefit both their education and the patients they serve.”
For many students, these workshops provided transformative experiences. Christine Obert-Hong, a Term 4 medical student from Austin, Texas, reflected on her participation in the ultrasound workshop:
“As a future physician, I believe it’s important to gain exposure to a wide range of skills regardless of specialty,” she said. “The workshop’s smaller-group setting allowed us to receive more individualized guidance and hands-on practice. That one-on-one instruction helped me refine my technique and build confidence in using ultrasound, which I know will be valuable throughout my training and career.”
Expanding global perspectives
Beyond the skills-based workshops, IGSS 2025 underscored the value of connecting SGU students with the broader global surgery community. Hosting the symposium in Grenada created a unique opportunity for students to engage directly with international experts, gain insight into how surgical care challenges vary worldwide, and see how their training fits into a larger movement for equitable healthcare.
“The purpose of hosting IGSS at SGU was to expose our students to the global dimensions of surgery and the collaborative spirit needed for equitable healthcare worldwide,” said Dr. Maira du Plessis, assistant professor in the Department of Anatomical Sciences at SGU and faculty advisor to InciSioN Grenada. “By participating, students not only gained practical skills but also developed a broader perspective on their future roles as leaders in medicine.”
The symposium concluded with the announcement that the next InciSioN Global Surgery Symposium will be held in Malaysia in 2026. Building on this year’s success, IGSS 2026 promises to offer even more opportunities for learning, innovation, and global collaboration.
