ANSA Membership 2022

Dear trainees,

Welcome to ANSA 2022!

By now, you've already had the chance to be involved with some of our activities. But there's much more coming, and this email will tell you how to make the most of it.

Last year, ANSA switched to a 'freemium' model to support our activities. Most of our opportunities are free, and will remain that way. But we're adding some new ones, which you'll need to sign up to access.

Q: Why are we charging for things that cost nothing in the past?

A: We believe that our teachers and supervisors put in a lot of work to train us, and we give back to them through the Gratias Cena dinner. Some of our activities also cost money to run. We've previously covered the cost of our activities through ticketing from the Gratias Cena dinner, which raises (and costs) $20-30,000 each year, and is only attended by a fraction of the trainees. It's not fair for the trainees that do go to foot the bill for the whole cohort, when the thank-you dinner is coming from everyone that took part in education that year, and is a vital part in ensuring that we maintain our educational program. This will hopefully make Gratias Cena cheaper for those who attend and provide a new way to contribute for those who can't make it but still want to say 'thank you' to their teachers.

Q: Do I have to sign up?

A: We'd really like you to join us. Membership isn't a requirement to be involved in core activities, however you will receive a significant discount for all activities run by ANSA.

Q: What are the benefits of signing up?

A: Priority access to simulation workshops and SET application workshops (many of which are highly sought-after), and access to the SEAM question bank and Private Assisting handbook.

We will also prioritise lifelong members when offering spots for the very limited Fellowship exam wake-up session.

Q: Will I still have to pay for Gratias Cena?

A: Yes, but there'll be a significant members discount.

Q: Is ANSA just trying to grow the bank balance?

A: No. ANSA is not-for profit organisation. We aim to break even each year. This is about sharing the costs of running our fabulous educational program between all trainees, instead of concentrating the burden on those that buy a ticket to Gratias Cena.

Full list of ANSA activities in 2022:

Tutorials: Run by consultant surgeons to improve your surgical knowledge.

 - Bi-weekly morning tutorials throughout the year

 - Feb-March "Shock and Awe" daily Fellowship preparation tutorials

 - Saturday education sessions

Simulation Workshops: Hands-on tutorials to improve your technical skills.

 - Laparoscopic Intracorporeal suture workshop

 - (Abdominal Wall Reconstruction workshop - Previously run)

 - (Bowel Anastomosis workshop - Previously run)

 - (MORTAR simulation workshops - combined with Anaesthetics and theatre staff)

SET Application workshops: Run by consultants and SET trainees to help aspiring surgeons onto the program.

 - Research workshop

 - CV workshop

 - Interview practice sessions

Fellowship exam preparation workshops: Run by fellows and consultants to maximise your chances at success in the Fellowship Exam

 - Fellowship exam "Wake-Up Session" exam simulation

 - Shock and Awe tutorials

Private Assisting:

 - Handbook guide to Private Assisting - Written guidelines on how to set yourself up and bill for Private Assisting

 - Opportunities to private assist surgeons from the Austin and Northern hospitals.

Gratias Cena - Trainees and educators thank you dinner

·       The annual dinner to thank your supervisors, trainers, and teachers, and to celebrate the successes of surgical training at the Austin.

·       Gratias Cena was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 situation, however we believe we are on track to organise a special one this year.

Membership: It is available for all surgical trainees (SET and NSET registrars).

For new members: membership will cost $175 p.a. (tax-deductible), which costs less than buying a cup of a small coffee a week (about $3/week).

For Existing members: For our loyal members who decided to continue to be part of ANSA community, you receive a massive discount as a thank you.

Simply, enter the booking code (which you will receive in a separate email) when purchasing ANSA membership to receive the discount.