SURGIA Newsletter: General Surgery Edition Volume II Issue 1 | Page 10

ABOUT SURGIA
An Introduction to Griffith University’s Surgical Interest Association

T

he Surgical Interest Association Inc. (SURGIA)
is a not-for-profit incorporated association
dedicated to promoting the profession of surgery
to students, alumni and health professionals in
the South-East Queensland Region. Operating
out of Griffith University on the Gold Coast,
with an additional Brisbane-based committee,
SURGIA provides resources, networking
opportunities and events to over 800 student
and 200 professional members and alumni, who
are interested in enhancing essential surgical
knowledge and skills.
Originally developed in response to future
surgical workforce shortages, SURGIA promotes
the professions and specialties of Surgery,
encourages surgical and medical research and
raises funds and awareness for health charities in
our local community.
SURGIA not only targets the Griffith Medicine
cohort of 600 students, but also the thousands of
students across other health-based degrees such
as Dentistry, Biomedical Science, and Nursing.
In 2016, SURGIA will continue to provide activities
to hospitals and campuses located in Logan
and Brisbane, to ensure that students from all
of South-East Queensland have access to our
exceptional opportunities and events.
SURGIA is continually innovating and developing
to ensure we remain interesting and relevant
to our rapidly growing member base, and we
are ceaselessly dedicated to the fulfilment of
SURGIA’s vision: to create and inspire the surgical
leaders of tomorrow and enhance surgical care
and access in the community.

7 | SURGIA Newsletter The General Surgery Edition

In addition to our student activities, SURGIA also
give medical professionals and Griffith University
alumni the opportunity to achieve personal
goals by providing an avenue to contribute
positively to medical education and workforce
development. We are privileged to have both
Professor Emeritus Errol Maguire, the Clinical
Lead in Surgery for the School of Medicine, and
Professor Ward Massey, Head of the School of
Dentistry and Oral Health, as our Patrons again
this year. With their assistance and extensive
experience in the surgical field, SURGIA will be
well equipped to achieve our goals.
SURGIA offers its student and professional
members unique opportunities while also
giving back to the Queensland community.
SURGIA provides members with opportunities
to:
• Further anatomy knowledge with a surgical
focus
• Develop both surgical and extra-surgical
skills, such as leadership and professionalism
• Link with specialists in surgery, anaesthetics,
obstetrics & gynaecology, oral maxillofacial
surgery, orthopaedics, and neurosurgery
• Access pathways for advocacy and promote
an equitable surgical workforce
• Participate in and celebrate research
• Raise awareness of rural and global issues in
surgical practice
• Support surgical and health-related charities
in our community
• Find a surgically related mentor in a field of
your interest
• Meet other students and professionals with
similar interests