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Dear Colleagues and Members of the APSS,
I would like to extend a warm greeting to each and every one of you. I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. It is a profound honour to step into the role of President for the Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS) for the term 2023-2025, and I am deeply grateful for your trust in me. I take up this mantle with a sense of immense responsibility and belief in our collective potential to achieve greater heights.
The Society is immensely grateful to Prof. Dr. S Rajasekaran, Immediate Past President, for his contribution, guidance, and commitment towards the APSS. We also welcome Dr. Yat-Wa Wong as the new President-Elect (2023-2025).
As I look ahead, I am filled with inspiration and excitement for what we can accomplish together. The APSS, over the past decade, has evolved into a thriving community of spine surgeons and researchers dedicated to advancing the science, art, and practice of spine surgery. Our shared commitment and relentless pursuit of excellence have brought us to where we are today.
Building upon this legacy, I envision a promising future for our society through the following:
Building on a Strong Foundation: Our journey forward will be anchored in fortifying the foundation upon which APSS rests. Our Constitution, Bylaws, and Procedure and Policy Menu (PP&M) are not just documents but guiding principles that steer our ship. Under the guidance of Prof. Emeritus Dr. Keith Luk and Prof. Dr. S. Rajasekaran, we have already embarked on a mission to enhance these crucial documents. This effort will ensure that APSS remains responsive and relevant to the evolving needs of our dynamic organisation.
Active Engagement of Members: The heart of APSS beats within its members. Our vision includes involving more of you in shaping the future of our society. Our Organisational Chart, recently adopted, paves the way for increased new members' participation. We will work hand in hand with the Executive Committee and Standing Committee Chairpersons to identify and invite new members to engage actively in our various initiatives.
Unlocking Greater Membership Value: Membership in APSS goes beyond benefits; it is about belonging to a community that shares the same passion for spine care and research. We will elevate the value of our APSS membership further by introducing high-quality educational activities, i.e., courses, webinar, fellowship programme, research awards, etc. If you are not yet a member, I invite you to join us. APSS members receive a bi-monthly e-newsletter that keeps you informed of these exclusive opportunities, specially tailored for our members.
Global Recognition and Collaboration: We envision APSS becoming a prestigious society, both in the Asia Pacific region and on the global stage. To achieve this, we will foster collaborations with regional and international societies, promoting the exchange of knowledge among spine surgeons worldwide.
There are numerous educational activities in the pipeline, namely operative courses, cadaveric workshops, basic spine courses, webinars, and other exciting new initiatives. Hence, I strongly encourage you to stay tuned to the APSS website for announcements because this term promises to be an exciting one.
Among the many interesting initiatives planned, we are already busy preparing for the APSS Annual Meeting 2024 from June 13 to 16, 2024 in Hong Kong, and APSS Annual Meeting 2025: 14th Combined Meeting of APSS and APPOS in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Do watch out for the announcements to call for abstract submissions and registrations. I look forward to meeting you in person during these meetings.
Together, we stand on the cusp of a transformative period for APSS. I am deeply thankful for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared vision. Let us move forward, not just as individuals, but as a united Asia Pacific family, forging new horizons in spine care, research, education, and most importantly, friendship.
With optimism and anticipation,
Prof. Dato Dr. Mun-Keong Kwan
President of the Asia Pacific Spine Society (2023-2025)