Andrew Clelland, President of the ESSS tells us about the flagship surgical society within Edinburgh Medical School.
My name’s Andrew and I’m President of ESSS this year. I’m very lucky to be supported by a diverse team of fantastically motivated, talented and driven individuals all united in our shared ambition to deliver new and exciting events for all of our members, old and new!
Tell us about your society
We are the flagship surgical society within the medical school. We try to reach all year groups to allow students to get an idea of what a career in surgery is like, to try and hone their practical surgical skills through workshops and provide helpful career tips and exam revision tutorials for those in more senior years.
How can students get involved?
We run a fortnightly surgical skills club where we teach basics such as suturing and knot tying, as well as more advanced techniques such as laparoscopy with our state of the art simulation equipment. We’re looking to start doing some microsurgery in the near future so keep an eye out! Follow us on Instagram & Twitter (both @EdSurgSoc) or on Facebook (@EdinburghStudentSurgicalSociety) for 
all our events and updates!
We’ve just had our surgical careers roadshow which had over 100 attendees, and we’re excited ahead for our finals revision day and our highlight of the year, the 11th National Undergraduate Surgery and Trauma Conference. The theme this year is ‘Surgery Out of the Operating Theatre’, showcasing the diverse and exciting pathways you can take as you train and become a surgeon! This event is in partnership with and is held at the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh) on Saturday 21 March 2020 – save the date!
If your society was a drink, what would it be and why?
I think we’d be an espresso martini – fun, sophisticated, but caffeinated just the right amount to get things done!
Favourite society meet up place
It sounds clichéd but we love the Royal College of Surgeons (Ed)! They support our society immensely and work with us to make sure our members have an incredible experience in a beautiful but 
friendly atmosphere, and our committee are well supported when planning huge ESSS events. The food they provide is beautiful too!
Who inspires you?
There are many great surgeons who we look towards. I think in recent times we as a society have been inspired by Ms Liz O’Riordan, who gave an impassioned talk at our 2019 Surgical Conference on the patients’ perspective. Ms O’Riordan is a breast surgeon forced to give up the scalpel due to her recurrent breast cancer, and now speaks eloquently about issues of womanhood in breast cancer sufferers, and is putting on an incredible campaign to push the patients’ agenda. I highly recommend you check out her TEDx talk in Stuttgart.
Interested in a career in surgery?
Edinburgh Student Surgical Society’s 11th Annual National Undergraduate Surgery and Trauma Conference
Date: 21st March 2020
Time: 0845-1700
Venue: Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
The conference is open to all medical students and foundation doctors exploring a career in surgery. The conference theme is “Surgery – Out of the Operating Theatre” which aims to highlight the diverse and creative possibilities a surgical career can hold.
