International Surgical Ambassadors (ISA's) in Europe
The College has International Surgical Ambassadors and Tutors based in Europe. Their role is to act as the representative of the College in their country or region. They can provide advice and guidance on:
- Career development
- Applying for and participating in RCSEd examinations and courses
- Local contacts in the surgical profession
- Access to RCSEd resources such as webinars or eLogbook
- Professional updates and skills development
- Local networking and events
For more information on the network or to connect with a local ambassador, please contact Ms Malou Micola von Furstenrecht, International Engagement Manager m.micola@rcsed.ac.uk
To find your nearest International Surgical Ambassador located in Europe, please find your country in the list below:
Malta
Professor Joseph Galea – International Surgical Adviser
Joseph Galea is a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and an Associate Professor of Surgery. He did his general surgical and cardiothoracic training in Malta and the UK. He qualified MD from the University of Malta and MD by research from the University of Sheffield. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCS), Intercollegiate diploma holder in cardiothoracic surgery (FRCSCTh) and Fellow of the European Board of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (FETCS). He teaches applied cardiovascular physiology and general, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the University of Malta, tutors at Edinburgh University and examines students for the MRCS. He was elected President of the Association of Surgeons of Malta in 2012 and in 2017. He represents Maltese surgeons at the UEMS Section of Surgery and represents this section in the Multidisciplinary Committee for Intensive Care Medicine in Europe.
Mr Jo-Etienne Abela – International Surgical Tutor
Mr Abela has been a Member of RCSEd since 2002 and a Fellow since 2009. He did his basic training in Malta and higher training and first consultant post in the West of Scotland. He is a consultant oesophago-gastric-pancreatic surgeon and Deputy Chairman of Clinical Department of Surgery at Mater Dei Hospital in Malta. His main interests are endoscopic, laparoscopic and open resective-oncological procedures. He is a Postgraduate Training Co-ordinator in Surgery with a keen interest in teaching, training and assessment. He is an examiner affiliated with the University of Malta (MD and Masters), the RCSEd (MRCS) and the UEMS (FEBS). He is currently Secretary of the Association of Surgeons of Malta (ASM).
Ireland
Professor Nash Patil – International Surgical Ambassador
Mr. Nash Patil trained in India, Germany and Ireland and acquired his fellowship and intercollegiate degrees from The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. He also undertook an MD at the University of Wuerzburg and achieved magna cum laude. Over the course of his career, he has held several National and International positions in the clinical, academic, and educational sectors. In this regard he has been the past President of both the Irish ENT Institute and the Irish ENT Society, the latter being a pan-island body. In addition, he is the IMO representative to the UEMS. He is also the Associate Clinical Director for peri-operative care at his hospital. Mr. Patil was appointed as a Honorary Personal Professor at the National University of Ireland, Galway some years ago. He has also been the Programme Director for basic surgical training in ENT at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin.
