ASM 2026
The Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 will take place on 31 October – 1 November 2026 at the Hopewell Hotel, Wanchai. This year’s theme is Safety. Further details will be shared soon — stay tuned!
2026 ANZCA ASM
Our President, Dr. Yee-eot Chee, and CEO, Ms. Kristy Cheung, recently attended the ANZCA President’s Dinner and College Ceremony. These key international events are vital opportunities for HKCA leadership to foster closer ties and build networks with overseas colleges and societies.
During the visit, a regular business meeting was held with ANZCA to explore new avenues for collaboration at the College level. It was also an excellent opportunity to meet and welcome ANZCA’s new CEO, Dr. Lance Emerson, as we look forward to continued partnership between our two Colleges.
Beyond the Program: What ANZCA ELC Really Taught Me
I spent three days at Rydges Formosa in Auckland attending the Emerging Leaders Conference (ELC)… but in reality, it felt more like a gentle dismantling of what I thought leadership actually was.
The program itself was thoughtfully designed — from “leadership outside the box” to equity discussions, and eventually to the very honest “You can’t ask that” session. But what stayed with me most wasn’t just the content — it was the people behind it.
One moment that really stayed with me was Professor Dave Story’s advice to always have a 1-minute elevator pitch prepared, because you never know when you may suddenly find yourself speaking with someone influential — like the Minister of Health. At the time, I saw it as one of those practical but slightly distant leadership tips. Then came the final dinner, Professor Dave Story ended up sitting right beside me. Looking back, what mattered most was not the actual conversation itself, but how he made the conversation feel — respectful, curious, and genuinely interested. He made me feel … heard. That, in itself, was a lesson in leadership.
Another highlight was the “You can’t ask that” session. It was refreshing — senior leaders openly sharing their struggles, doubts, and the not-so-polished parts of their journeys. It reminded me that leadership is not a straight line upwards… it’s more like a series of small stumbles that somehow still move you forward.
The sessions on wellbeing — PERMA and beyond — were also interesting. What resonated more deeply was a simpler idea: people first. Not just patients, but the people around you… and yourself. It sounds obvious, but in practice, it’s often the first thing we forget.
What I didn’t expect was how much of the learning came from informal conversations. Walking by the harbour in silence. Chatting over breakfast. Random discussions that somehow became meaningful.
I met Sarah from Melbourne and JC from Malaysia — we somehow became a small, unofficial support group. Vik Singh and Saana Taylor, the organisers, created an environment that felt both structured and relaxed — which is harder than it sounds.
Then there were the unexpected moments — Prof. Brian Anderson sharing stories from his own training days while discussing academic writing, or Dr. Douglas Campbell offering practical advice on research funding during what was initially meant to be a brief conversation on the BALANCED study. Those interactions reminded me how approachable and generous experienced leaders can be in supporting younger colleagues.
Perhaps the most powerful story came from Simon Mitchell — speaking about recovering from terminal illness, and still completing his ANZCA fellowship. That quietly puts many of our daily “struggles” into perspective.
The Thai cave rescue session by Prof. Simon Mitchell was another reminder that leadership, at its core, is about making decisions in uncertainty — often with incomplete information, high stakes, and no perfect answer. It’s easy to admire the outcome, yet much harder to appreciate the discomfort behind every decision made.
So, if I had to summarise my takeaway, leadership is less about having control, and more about creating space — for conversations, for people, and sometimes, for uncertainty. And perhaps most humbling of all — everyone here, no matter how senior, is still figuring it out.
Which, oddly enough, makes the whole journey feel a lot less intimidating.
Dr Gerund Cheung
Board of Intensive Care Medicine Update: Change of Chairman
In June 2026, Dr Hing-Yu So stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) after 12 years of distinguished service. Since assuming the role in 2014, Dr. So’s dedicated leadership has been instrumental in advancing intensive care training. The Council extends its profound gratitude to him for his invaluable contributions and enduring legacy.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Dominic So has succeeded him as the new Chairman. With his expertise and passion, we are confident that Dr. Dominic So will lead ICM into its next exciting chapter of growth and impact.
Positive Psychology Workshop
On 30 May 2026, A momentous occasion as we celebrate the first conjoint Positive Psychology Workshop between the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists and the Hong Kong College of Radiologists.
It was wonderful to share, discuss, and reflect on what it truly means to show compassion to ourselves and to others. We hope this is the start of a continued joint effort to foster greater awareness and a culture of well-being within our professions.
Workplace-based Assessment Train-the-trainer Workshop
On June 6, 2026, the Board of Education successfully hosted the Workplace-based Assessment Train-the-trainer (WBA TTT) Workshop. This focused on equipping our trainers with the latest methodologies to conduct robust assessments in the workplace. The College would like to extend our sincere thanks to the instructors and participants for the dedication and valuable time contributed to the Workshop. Their commitment and expertise, along with the active engagement of everyone involved, made a meaningful difference to the program’s success.
BMEC
In collaboration with HKAM JCIMED, the College hosted the Basic Medical Education Course at Chinese University Medical Centre on 13th June 2026 — bringing together higher trainees, provisional fellows, and fellows from Anaesthesia, Pain, and Intensive Care Medicine for an afternoon of meaningful dialogue on strengthening medical education.
From sharing best practices to exploring approaches in training and feedback, the energy in the room was palpable. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated facilitators for guiding the discussions, and to every participant whose curiosity and engagement made this a truly enriching experience.
