On October 12th, 2023, the “Siriraj International Residency & Fellow Exchange Program Committee” led by Assoc. Prof. Prapat Wanitpongpan, M.D., Deputy Dean for Corporate Communication and International Relations; Assoc. Prof. Thawornchai Limjindaporn, M.D., Ph.D., Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Education; Assoc. Prof. Tripop Lertbunnaphong, M.D., Deputy Dean of Undergraduate Education; and Asst. Prof. Kanokwaroon Watananirun, M.D., Assistant Dean for International Relations; conducted an English interview for the “Siriraj International Residency & Fellow Exchange Program 2024 (1st-round pick)” to Siriraj’s fellow/resident candidates from each department as follows:

 

Department of Ophthalmology: Dr.Chavin Thetisaksakal (3rd-Year Resident), Dr.Chayanit Junsangsri, and Dr.Rawi Jongpipatchai (both 3th-Year Resident);

Department of Dermatology: Dr.Yutarat Suwanchatkul and Dr.Nuntouchaporn Amonchaisakda (both 4th-year Residents);

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology: Dr.Pattrinee Boonyapisomparn (2nd-Year Fellow);

Department of Surgery: Dr.Techin Wasinsangworn (5th-Year Resident);

Department of Medicine: Dr.Piyaporn Chokevittaya and Dr.Irin Vichara-Anont (both 2nd-Year Fellows).

 

Furthermore, the Committee also conducted a reviewing session for the “on-line” reflection report of “Siriraj International Residency & Fellow Exchange Program 2023 (2nd-round pick)” presented by the former successful candidates as follows:

 

1.) 2nd-Year Fellow: Dr. Thanachit Krikeerati from the Department of Medicine, on his training experience at the Gentofte Hospital (Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte), Denmark, from March 1st – 31st, 2023.

2.) 3rd-Year Resident: Dr.Lertluksana Limkul from the Department of Pediatrics, on her training experience at University of California (UCLA), USA, from March 1st – 31st, 2023.

3.) 3rd-Year Resident: Dr.Natthakarn Nakrungsri from the Department of Pediatrics, on her training experience at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, USA, from March 1st – 31st, 2023.

4.) 3rd-Year Resident: Dr.Patpetra Svasdisant from the Department of Pediatrics, on her training experience at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), USA, from April 1st – 30th, 2023.

On September 6th – 9th 2023, Asst. Prof. Pitipol Choopong, MD., from the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, attended the “17th International Ocular Inflammation Society (IOIS) Congress” in Berlin, Germany, as a moderator/speaker for the session “Artificial intelligence in Uveitis, Case Presentations – Uveitis Society of Thailand (UST)” and delivered a special lecture/presentation on the topic “Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology in Thailand.” This meeting is a unique gathering of 34 international societies, 14 Sections, free papers, and Special Interest Symposia, robust scientific sessions that cover a broad spectrum of intraocular and extraocular inflammatory and infectious disorders. Particular focus also on recent advances in ocular imaging, current knowledge of the underlying inflammatory pathogenesis of disorders, i.e., age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, comprehension of inflammation-related eye diseases, and recent scientific progress on novel therapeutic approaches, including surgical interventions in uveitis complications, i.e., medical and surgical management of inflammatory ocular surface diseases, keratopathies, glaucoma, and retinopathies.

The 17th IOIS Congress provided a unique opportunity for educational and scientific exchanges for academic and clinical researchers, healthcare professionals, and health industry representatives. We value and encourage the active participation and contribution of all professionals interested in ocular inflammation.

On August 15th, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Kanograt Pornpanich, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology; Prof. Ngamkae Ruangvaravate, Lecturer of the Department of Ophthalmology; and Assoc. Prof. Prapat Wanitpongpan, Deputy Dean for Corporate Communication and International Relations, welcomed Prof. Dr. Lorna Elizabeth Edmunds, Head of Glaucoma Division, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, USA, to serve as the visiting scholar at the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, sharing her expertise in Glaucoma and Pediatric Glaucoma starting from August 15th-19th, 2023.

Welcome, medical students under the International Federal Medical Students Association (IFMSA) to undertake an elective study at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University from August 7th – September 1st, 2023.

 

Mr. Simon Vitikac, a 4th-year medical student from Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Czech is undertaking an elective study at the Division of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery from August 7th-18th, 2023, and Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery starting from August 21st – September 1st, 2023.

 

Ms. Lenka Swierczkova, a 6th-year medical student from Masaryk University in Brno, Czech, and Ms. Katarzyna Krupa, a 5th-year medical student from the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland are participating in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for her elective study from August 7th – September 1st, 2023.

 

Whereas, Ms. Rita Petrillo, a 6th-year from The University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Italy is attending at Division of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery from August 7th-18th, 2023, and the Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery starting from August 21st – September 1st, 2023

 

Also, Mr. Rafael Viejo Marin, a medical student from the University of Sevilla, Spain will undertake an elective study at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology from August 7th -18th, 2023, and the Department of Ophthalmology from August 21st – September 1st, 2023.

 

(Left to Right: Mr.Simon Vitikac, Ms. Lenka Swierczkova, Ms. Katarzyna Krupa, Ms. Rita Petrillo, and Mr. Rafael Viejo Marin)

On July 17th, 2023, the Siriraj International Residency & Fellow Exchange Program Committee included Assoc. Prof. Prapat Wanitpongpan, MD, Deputy Dean for Corporate Communication and International Relations; Asst. Prof. Kanokwaroon Watananirun, MD, Assistant Dean for Corporate Communication and International Relations; Assoc. Prof. Thawornchai Limjindaporn, MD, Ph.D., Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Education; and Asst. Prof. Sani Baimai, MD, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education conducted an onsite interview session for the “Siriraj International Residency & Fellow Exchange Program 2023” fellows/residents: Dr. Thanut Boonhaijaroen and Dr. Nattamol Kosaiyaganonth from the Department of Ophthalmology (both third-year residents) and Dr. Varis Manomaivong from the Department of Pediatrics (a second-year fellow).

Also, the committee took the opportunity to review the onsite reflection presentations of participants from Rounds 2-3:

  1. 2nd-Year Fellow, Dr. Nichkamol Lertamornkitti from the Department of Pediatrics training at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) from April 1st – 30th, 2023.
  2. 2nd-Year Resident, Dr. Vanthana Charoensawatsiri from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology training at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine from April 10th – May 5th, 2023.

Furthermore, three fellows/residents submitted their online presentations as reflections to be reviewed:

  1. 2nd-Year Fellow, Dr. Nophathai Sojisirikul from the Department of Pediatrics training at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), USA, from April 1st – 30th, 2023.
  2. 3rd-Year Resident, Dr. Natrinee Naksupphamit from the Department of Pediatrics, training at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA, from April 1st – 30th, 2023.
  3. 1st-Year Fellow, Dr. Theeradej Tepkasetkul from the Department of Medicine training at the National Epilepsy Center, NHO Shizuoka Institute of Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders, Japan, from May 29th – June 23rd, 2023.

The review of these presentations allowed the committee and participants to understand the transformative impact of the exchange program on the residents and fellows involved. It also emphasized the importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing in advancing the field of medicine on a global scale.

During February 23rd – 26th, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Nuttawut Rodanant of the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, was invited to attend “The 38th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress (APAO 2023)” in Malaysia to deliver a presentation on the topic “Management of Recurrent Macular Hole”.

The Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress featured the latest discoveries and ideas in 16 ophthalmic subspecialties, including clinical ophthalmology and visual sciences.

During February 23rd – 26th, 2023, Asst. Prof. Pimkwan Jaru-Ampornpan of the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, was invited to attend  “the 38th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress (APAO 2023)” in Malaysia to deliver a presentation about Siriraj Ophthalmology’s new surgical technique, “Options for a One-Stage Large Eyelid Margin Defect Reconstruction” at the APAO2023 congress which featured more than 500 internationally renowned speakers presenting the latest discoveries and ideas in 16 ophthalmic subspecialties, including clinical ophthalmology and visual sciences.

During February 17th-20th, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Naris Kitnarong, Vice-Chairman of Services of the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University, together with a group of ophthalmologists, operating nurses, and nursing assistants from Siriraj Hospital, has hosted the event, “The Cataract Surgery and Intraocular Lens Implants Project” at Wichian Buri Hospital in Phetchabun Province and performed a total of 241 surgeries (234 cataract surgeries, and 7 pterygium surgeries), which was the most significant number of surgical treatments ever! This event was also joined forces by the ophthalmologists, volunteer nurses, registered nurses, and nursing assistants from Wichian Buri Hospital, Phetchabun Hospital, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ranong Hospital, Singburi Hospital, and Lom Kao Hospital.

On July 19th, 2022, The faculty members of the Department of Ophthalmology: Dr. Chinnapat Montrisuksirikun, Dr. Usanee Seepongphun, Asst. Prof. Sutasinee Boonsopon, Assoc. Prof. Nattaporn Tesavibu, Prof. Pinnita Tanthuvanit, Assoc. Prof. Pitipol Choopong, and Dr. Sathiya Kengpunpanich, welcomed Assoc. Clin. Prof. Paul A. Gaudio from Yale Medical School, USA, to serve as Siriraj International Scholar at the Department of Ophthalmology from July 19th – 25th, 2022. On his first day at Siriraj, Assoc. Clin. Prof. Gaudio has delivered a lecture on the topic “Useful Steps in Evaluating Ocular Inflammation” for the faculty staff of the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.