Janindra Warusavitarne is Assistant Chair of the Education Committee. He is a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, St Mark’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Current position and hospital: Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, St. Mark’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
ESCP Executive position: Education Committee Assistant Chair
Main clinical and research interests: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Fistula in ano, Intestinal Failure and Pelvic floor disorders
What made you want to specialise in colorectal surgery?
I always had a passion for surgery and very early on in my surgical training was training with the forefathers of colorectal surgery as a speciality in Australia. At that time the dedication to training and high quality standards together with surgery that made a lot of sense (to me at least) drove me to colorectal surgery.
How long have you been involved in ESCP and what made you want to become involved?
I joined the ESCP in its very early days when I was in London as a trainee in 2007 as I was impressed by its ethos. When I took on the role as consultant at St Mark’s Hospital I asked John Nicholls to help me become more involved. I was asked to sit the EBSQ ( I encourage everyone to sit this examination) which I did and the rest is history.
What do you value most about being involved in ESCP?
I think the ESCP is an amazing organisation and its ability to bring together the greatest minds from across Europe and the world. The education and the collaboration only enhances the profession and the ESCP is the epicentre for this.
Could you tell us about your best ESCP anecdote?
Expand your knowledge and build your friendships. They both can last you a lifetime
If you had one bit of advice for younger surgeons starting their career in colorectal surgery, what would it be?
Embrace the opportunities that come your way. Learn from everyone but don’t forget to formulate your own ideas well. Challenge everything but remember that at the end of the day we live to serve our patients.