The International Surgical Ambassadors (ISAs) are based in regions and countries worldwide. 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
Click on the regions below to find your nearest ISA representative.
Contact Us
For more information on the network or to connect with a local Ambassador please email: Caroline Berry, International Partnerships Manager.
Contact hereAmericas
To find your nearest International Surgical Ambassador located in the Americas, please find your country in the list below.
T. Forcht-Dagi is a neurosurgeon working with Queen’s University Belfast and the Mayo Clinic Medical School, where he teaches residents and undergraduate medical students. In addition, he has deep interests in translational research, surgical innovation, online medical training and the history of surgery. He serves as a Director of the American Association of Neurological Surgery, and as an editor of Neurosurgery. He has been active in the patient safety movement and chaired the Committee on Perioperative Care for the American College of Surgeons and the U.S. Council for Surgical and Perioperative Safety. He served as a military surgeon, was elected to Fellowship in the College of Critical Care Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Automotive Medicine.
Middle East
To find your nearest International Surgical Ambassador located in the Middle East, please find your country in the list below.
Emad Saweeres is an Orthopaedic Professor and Chairman of the Orthopaedic Advisory Committee in Cairo, Egypt, graduated and earned an M.Sc. in Orthopaedics from Cairo University. After training in the UK and completing research on ACL reconstruction, he returned to Egypt, building a clinical and teaching portfolio with a focus on arthroplasty and biomechanics. Currently holding key roles in the Arab Board of Health Specialisation and EFOT, he is an accomplished ATLS instructor and has directed various international courses. In 2019, he received the "Innovation in Education Award" from AOTrauma. Collaborating on the "Excellence in Education" course, his work garnered distinction in Harvard Medical School's Postgraduate Certificate Program in 2020.
Mai Rostom is an Egyptian born and UK trained plastic surgeon. Her primary areas of interest are hand surgery, microsurgery, and reconstruction. She has completed fellowships in hand surgery, reconstructive microsurgery and aesthetic surgery in Sydney, Australia and has travelled widely in pursuit of further training and education. She has recently moved back to Egypt and splits her practice between Egypt and the UK.
South Asia
To find your nearest International Surgical Ambassador located in South Asia please find your country in the list below.
Department of Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery
MBBS, MS (Neurosurgery), MRCS (Glasgow), MRCS (England), FRCS (Edinburgh), FACS, FICS, FMAS, IFAANS
Saumitra Sarkar is a Professor and Head of Neurosurgery in Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, where he teaches residents and undergraduate medical students. He is a leading Neurosurgeon and an expert in advanced reconstructive and complex Neuro-spine procedures. In addition, he has deep interests in Spine surgery research, surgical innovation, online medical training and the history of neurosurgery and professional leadership. He serves as a Secretary, International College of Surgeons (ICS), Bangladesh Section and as an Executive editor of JShSMC. He has been a member of various societies including the Society of British Neurological Surgeons, Association of Surgeons of India, Association of Minimal Access Surgery of India, American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He has a number of publications in international and local journals and he continues to strive to publish high-quality articles relevant to this field. He is an excellent public speaker and has invited various conferences to present his work locally and internationally.
South East Asia and Australasia
To find your nearest International Surgical Ambassador located in South East Asia and Australasia, please find your country in the list below.
Chee Loong Yeap (CL Yeap) is an Upper Gastrointestinal surgeon based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He obtained his Medical Degree (MBBS) and Master of Surgery (M.Surgery) from the University of Malaya, Malaysia. Subsequently, CL Yeap pursued Senior Clinical Fellowship Training in Advanced Upper GI Surgery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland.
CL Yeap is an accredited surgeon in Robotic Surgery, and with a focus on Minimally Invasive Surgery. He holds Fellowship with the Academy of Medicine Malaysia (FAMM), the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCS), and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) United States.
Additionally, CL Yeap has a profound interest in Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTTS) and currently serves as the co-chairman of the NOTSS international subgroup committee for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd). He actively contributes to the advancement of Masterclasses globally, and with a particular emphasis on Asia. In addition, CL Yeap serves as an external examiner for the Malaysian National Conjoint Board for the Master of Surgery Examination and has previously held the position of Senior Lecturer at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur.