Y-ISFGS
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
Y-ISFGS is dedicated to educating medical students, surgical trainees, and early-career surgeons in the field of Fluorescence Guided Surgery (FGS). This innovative technique enhances surgical precision and has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes.
Despite its benefits, several barriers limit its widespread adoption, including limited awareness, low confidence in the current body of evidence, and insufficient access to structured training. A 2022 survey highlighted this gap, revealing that nearly half (49.4%) of respondents had never received formal training in FGS.
Early exposure to FGS is essential to build confidence, encourage clinical application, and foster engagement in research. Y-ISFGS represents a young, dynamic and forward-thinking community, committed to advancing surgical education and promoting excellence in patient care.
The very first step is to “begin at the beginning”. Over the coming months, Y-ISFGS will conduct a comprehensive survey study focused on surgical trainees. This initiative will provide valuable insight into our current starting point and help identify areas where we can grow and improve.
At the same time, we are developing a dynamic video library that will be accessible through our website. This resource will feature high-quality educational content alongside inspiring material designed to support your learning journey. In addition, Y-ISFGS is actively working on a structured curriculum for certification in fluorescence-guided surgery. This program will include:
- Online teaching modules to build foundational knowledge
- Self-assessment sections to reinforce learning and track progress
We are also creating a fluorescence-guided surgery toolkit that can be integrated into surgical training programs worldwide, helping standardize and elevate education on an international scale.
The future of fluorescence-guided surgery is incredibly promising—and you have the opportunity to be part of it. Take the first step by registering as an ISFGS member: https://isfgs.org/registration. This is your chance to expand your knowledge, refine your surgical skills, and strengthen your professional portfolio.
The future is now—be part of the movement redefining surgical innovation.
Jessica Schembri Higgans
Jessica Schembri Higgans graduated with a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery degree from the University of Malta in 2017. She obtained the intercollegiate MRCS diploma in 2021, and subsequently completed a Master of Science at the University of Edinburgh in 2022. She is currently a Higher Specialist Trainee in General Surgery at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta. Her professional interests lie in teaching, research, and innovation, which she actively pursues alongside her clinical work. Jessica is an engaged member of the Laparoscopic Endoscopic and Robotic Society of Malta (LERSM) and the Association of Surgeons of Malta (ASM). She has also been an active member of the ISFGS community since 2024, presenting in the last two consecutive ISFGS European Chapters.
Phoebe Collins
Phoebe is a final year medical student at the University of Cambridge with a keen interest in fluorescence guided surgery. As early career lead for the International Society of Fluorescence Guided Surgery (ISFGS), she heads the society’s latest initiative to connect and inspire students, trainees, and emerging professionals to engage with this rapidly developing and innovative field.
Mohamed Hassouna
Dr. Mohamed Hassouna is a surgical trainee and doctoral researcher, contributing to translational research, AI applications in Surgery and clinical innovation within the fields of minimally invasive and fluorescence-guided surgery. He plays a key role in developing UCL’s digital learning strategy and leading initiatives that integrate artificial intelligence, simulation, and immersive technologies into medical education.
Dr. Hassouna is also a Clinical Lecturer and Programme Lead for an MSc at the Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, UCL. His academic leadership focuses on advancing interdisciplinary, research-informed, and technology-enhanced learning across surgical and clinical education.
