Latest news with #AprilCamillaRoslani
The Star
20-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
UM top surgeon drives reform
POSITIVE change starts with each and every one of us. Espousing this principle, Prof Datuk Dr April Camilla Roslani said although it may seem daunting, much can be achieved with objective, strategic thinking. She added that the united efforts of key stakeholders are just as paramount. The professor of colorectal surgery at the Universiti Malaya (UM) Faculty of Medicine – where she is also a former dean – embodies this belief through her work in the medical field. One of her most notable contributions was founding Malaysia's largest colorectal surgery unit at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) – now a central resource for national colorectal training and treatment. She shared that colorectal surgery was only recognised as a subspecialty of general surgery in Malaysia in 2006. At the time, she was UMMC's sole colorectal surgeon. 'My initial challenge was convincing my department that it was even necessary to have a colorectal unit,' she recalled, adding that much of the work back then was handled by general surgeons. 'I had to spend the first few years patiently setting up the service, fighting for funding, auditing the outcomes, while recruiting, training and expanding my team,' she recalled. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to surgery and medical education, Prof April recently received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – the highest distinction granted by the institution. Expressing her humility at being this year's recipient, Prof April, who is currently serving as councillor of the International Surgical Society and director of the International Office at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, said the honour is not just a personal milestone. 'This recognition by RCSI – an organisation with the highest standards and a truly global outlook – has been personally validating, but it is also a tribute to the general surgical fraternity in Malaysia, who has been united in its efforts to effect positive change in surgical training. 'Previous recipients include Louis Pasteur, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa, while past Malaysian honorees include the late Sultan Azlan Shah, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Abu Bakar Suleiman. It is an immense honour to be placed in this pantheon,' she told StarEdu. This latest recognition is yet another feather in Prof April's cap. She has previously received global honours, including Honorary Fellowships from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the American and Philippine Societies of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. Prof April's path into medicine began not in a lab, but on stage – she trained in dance and music before turning to surgery. 'To excel in the arts requires creativity, resilience and discipline. 'The hours of practice, making something complex look simple, and the guidance from experienced mentors – these lessons are also applicable to surgery, which combines science and art to heal humanity,' she said. Prof April's drive to improve the field does not stop at the operating table. As a key figure in postgraduate medical education, she helped develop Malaysia's National Curriculum for General Surgery and introduced a locally tailored Train-the-Trainers programme to strengthen the quality of surgical instruction nationwide. Beyond training, she is equally committed to pushing for systemic improvements and is well known for championing healthier, more supportive medical work environments. 'Our healthcare system has done well in the past, but those achievements have been on the backs of a stretched workforce, and often at great personal sacrifice. This is not sustainable,' she said, pointing to worrying trends like staff attrition and a declining interest in surgery as a career. Prof April believes the work is far from done. 'Those involved in advocacy don't do it for recognition. 'Integrating new technologies like artificial intelligence, while retaining the human touch and fighting for better work conditions will always be ongoing,' she said. She also expressed her hope for a single national healthcare system – governed and funded separately from the rest of the civil service. 'This would allow us to combine the best of both private and public sectors for clinical service, training and research, and ensure fairer pay, better staff retention and healthier work environments,' she said. The Honorary Fellowship was presented at RCSI's recent conferring ceremony on July 7, at its historic St. Stephen's Green campus in Dublin, where 402 healthcare professionals from around the world were welcomed into its global community of fellows and members.
The Star
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
UM surgeon honoured on the world stage
PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya (UM)'s Professor Datuk Dr April Camilla Roslani ( pic ) has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), marking a proud milestone for the country's medical community on the international stage. Prof April, who specialises in colorectal surgery and previously served as Dean at UM's Faculty of Medicine, was recognised for founding the country's largest colorectal surgery unit and helping shape surgical training nationwide. To boost surgical capacity nationwide, she helped develop the National Curriculum for General Surgery and a Train-the-Trainers programme, while continuing to advocate for equity and excellence in the field. RCSI Council Member Mr John Caird, who read her citation, applauded Prof April's outstanding contributions to health and ongoing dedication to enhancing medical education and surgical training. She has also received global honours, including recent Honorary Fellowship awards from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the American and Philippine Societies of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. Currently, she serves as councillor of the International Surgical Society and director of the International Office at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. The RCSI conferring ceremony took place at its St Stephen's Green campus in Dublin on July 7. Prof April was among 402 healthcare professionals conferred with Fellowships and Memberships at the ceremony, which RCSI President Professor Deborah McNamara described as a celebration of service and innovation in healthcare around the world. 'Throughout our 241-year history, RCSI Fellows, Members and Diplomates have a proud legacy of healthcare service and innovation across the world. Each of you has the potential to make a difference in the lives of many individuals as well as society at large. Especially in these turbulent times, each of us has the power to improve the world around us,' she said on the RCSI website. The Honorary Fellowship is the highest distinction granted by the College, recognising individuals for outstanding contributions to surgery and medical education.
