Philippine Delegate to the YFF is an Orthopedic Surgeon
This year, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) celebrated its 94th Annual Scientific Congress at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 30 to May 3, 2026. For that iteration, the program theme explored the art and science of collaboration. Since its formation in 1927, RACS is responsible for training surgeons and maintaining surgical standards in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand across nine surgical specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urology, Vascular Surgery, and Orthopedic Surgery.
Through the Philippine College Surgeons (PCS), RACS invited attendance to its annual congress as well as a nomination for a subspecialist within ten years of fellowship training to attend its 2026 Younger Fellows Forum (YFF) at Mandoon Estate from April 27 to 29, 2026.
After deliberation by the PCS Board of Regents, Dr. Juan Agustin Coruña IV, an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon based in Bacolod City, has been chosen as the official country representative for the event. Dr. Coruña is the President of the Philippine Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (POFAS). He also holds distinct research, academic, leadership, and training roles across local, national, and international societies. Dr. Coruña’s role for the RACS and PCS endorsement is to assist fostering relationships between the two Colleges and provide an international perspective to discussions where he is requested to speak and exchange ideas.
Adapted from information published by RACS online, “It will be 44 years since the first YFF forum started in 1982. The concept, introduced in 1980, was to acknowledge and encourage the contributions of younger Fellows to the College. The YFF selects 20 emerging global leaders under 45 years of age from all disciplines of surgery. It aims to develop leadership and performance skills for new consultants to thrive within surgical workforce and become leaders within their communities.”
“The news of being chosen surely surprised me. And it is one I accept and fully embrace,” says Chinkin. “I am truly grateful to my mentors across the country and the globe who have taught me and continue to shape my growth in personal and professional levels. My research commitments were fully supported during my training at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital. When it was still called the AO Foundation, I was deeply impressed how so many like-minded teachers made orthopedic learning more accessible and attainable. Now AO Trauma, it continues to be a fountain of knowledge for this amazing network. I mention these because many institutions clearly built me up thanks to collaboration among all these entities and other incredible people. This is made possible by clear efforts of the POA and PBO. With further growth and experience, I had the pleasure of being part of international cooperation with successful engagements as Vice-Chairman of the SICOT Young Surgeons Committee. And I continue to have the pleasure of representing our nation across foot and ankle societies around the world.”
“My present nomination to the YFF in Perth is testament to the excellent training and competence of Philippine Board of Orthopedics diplomates and Philippine Orthopaedic Association fellows. It means that any one of us from any part of the Philippines can be chosen. We only need to apply and be surprised of the news.”
From left: Prof. Henry Woo (Councilor), Prof. Owen Ung (RACS President), Aslam Ejaz (USA Association for Academic Surgery), Chinkin Coruña (Philippine College of Surgeons), Prof. Deborah Bailey (Councilor), Komol Chaivanijchaya (Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand), Jacky Ho (College of Surgeons of Hong Kong), Su Mei Hoh (Chair, Younger Fellows Committee), Prof. Phil Morreau (RACS Censor-In-Chief), Pamela Caleo (Deputy Chair, Younger Fellows Committee), Helen Ballal (2026 YFF Convener), Alexandra O’Neill (2026 YFF Convener).
The first YFF forum started in 1982. Started in 1980, it was established to acknowledge and encourage the contributions of younger Fellows to the RACS. The YFF selects 20 emerging global leaders under 45 years of age from all disciplines of surgery. It aims to develop leadership and performance skills for new consultants to thrive within surgical workforce and become leaders within their communities. This year, it was held in Perth.