In this special International Women’s Day episode of Inside Surgery, host Dr Draga Mandi speaks with Ms Gita Lingam and Dr Georgia Kotoreni, surgeons who completed the women only, EAES Intuitive robotics discovery course at the Amsterdam Skills Centre.

Ms Lingam, a UK surgical trainee and research fellow in IBD and robotic surgery, and Dr Kotoreni, a general surgeon and PhD candidate in abdominal wall reconstruction in Greece, reflect on their experience in an all-women robotic training programme designed to build both technical expertise and professional community.

The conversation explores access to robotic training across different European healthcare systems, the challenges women face in gaining console time and certification, and the importance of mentorship, representation, and supportive learning environments. They discuss the value of high-fidelity simulation, tailored hands-on training, and the unique dynamic created when women surgeons train together.

Beyond the technical aspects, this episode examines belonging in surgery, the evolving landscape of robotic certification, and why dedicated spaces for women in surgical innovation remain essential. Released on International Women’s Day, the discussion highlights how community, visibility, and opportunity can shape the future of robotic surgery, and the next generation of women at the console.

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Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member

In this episode of Inside Surgery, host Dr Alice Tsai speaks with Dr Youness Ahallal, urologist and robotic surgeon, internationally recognised for pioneering telesurgery and advancing robotic surgery across Africa.

Dr Ahallal shares the story behind the world’s longest-distance robotic cancer surgery, performed between Shanghai and Morocco, and explains the four months of preparation required to make transcontinental telesurgery safe and feasible. The conversation explores signal latency, fibre-optic networks, AI-assisted motion stabilisation, and the teamwork required on both ends of a complex radical prostatectomy.

Beyond the technical achievement, Dr Ahallal reflects on his journey from Morocco to the United States and France, and his decision to return home to establish the first robotic surgery programme in North Africa. He discusses how telesurgery can shorten the learning curve for surgeons, support mentorship across distances, and improve equitable access to high-quality surgical care.

This episode highlights innovation in practice, the future of global surgical collaboration, and how technology can bridge geographic gaps in modern surgery.

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Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member

In this episode of Inside Surgery, host Dr. Draga Mandi speaks with Dr. Dragoș Eugen Georgescu, Romanian surgical oncologist, lecturer at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and EAES Fellowship awardee.

Dr. Georgescu reflects on his EAES Fellowship at the National Cancer Institute in Vilnius, sharing how immersive exposure to high-volume minimally invasive oncology reshaped his surgical practice. The conversation explores the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, the role of mentorship and technical refinement, and how international fellowships foster long-term professional growth, collaboration, and adaptability in modern European surgery.

If you enjoy this episode, why not subscribe to Inside Surgery so you don't miss out on future episodes?

Would you like to become a part of the EAES family? Become a member via https://eaes.eu/become-a-member