GMS Annual Summit 2026: Exploring the Future of Procedural Medicine
This June, the General Medicine Society welcomed students, clinicians, researchers, and educators to GMS Annual Summit 2026, a two-day conference centred around this year’s theme, The Future of Procedural Medicine.
Organised by the GMS Committee, Anisha Sequeira, Farhan Navas, Ivan CF Wan, Adeenah Khan, Aysha Shahzad, Sristitha Gudipalli, and Samridhi Pathak, the summit brought together specialist speakers, student researchers, and hands-on workshops to create a weekend of learning beyond the traditional medical school curriculum.
Split across two days, the summit combined an international online conference with an in-person programme at the Stoke Mandeville Postgraduate Centre, allowing students to benefit from both global research presentations and hands-on clinical experiences.
Day One: Online Conference & International Research Showcase
The summit opened with a welcome address from GMS President Anisha Sequeira, before attendees joined an outstanding online programme featuring speakers from various procedural specialties.
Students heard from Mr Jason Ali, Mr Mario Teo, Mr Umar Shafiq, Mr Vineet Batta, and Dr Jack Wellington, who shared their experiences in cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, research, innovation, and academic medicine.
From discussions on complex aortic dissection surgery and fascinating neurosurgical cases to practical advice on research, portfolio building, and career progression, students were given a unique insight into specialties they may not otherwise encounter so early in their training.
The day also featured what became a truly international poster presentation competition, with submissions received from multiple countries. The quality of research on display was exceptional and showcased the growing contribution of students to academic medicine.
Poster Presentation Winners
🥇 Alina Bedrekar & Sree Nikhita Kuchimanchi
🥈 Sarah Junaid
🥉 Fathma Rubin Sha & Subair Sabbar Ahmed
Day Two: Stoke Mandeville Postgraduate Centre
The second day of the summit moved to the Stoke Mandeville Postgraduate Centre, where the focus shifted towards practical skills, career exploration, and student engagement.
Students heard keynote talks from Dr Azmain Chowdhury and Dr Waqas Ahmed, both clinician-creators who shared their journeys through medicine, education, and content creation.
One of the highlights of the day was the interactive panel discussion hosted by Naheer Lahdo, featuring Dr Azmain Chowdhury, Dr Waqas Ahmed, Dr Abhi Gautham, and Dr Jack Wellington.
The discussion covered specialty training, research, work-life balance, portfolio building, and the realities of modern medical careers, giving students the opportunity to ask honest questions and hear equally honest answers.
The afternoon also showcased a series of oral presentations, with students presenting a range of impressive clinical and research projects.
Oral Presentation Winners
🥇 Ibrahim Shibi
🥈 Tiffany & Faith Poon
🥉 Nandita Rathi
Hands-On Workshops
A major focus of this year’s summit was providing practical experiences that students would rarely encounter in a single event.
Throughout the day, delegates rotated through four workshops:
Neuroanatomy Brain Dissection, led by Dr Jack Wellington and supported by Fahmida Zahin and Ibrahim Shibi
Microsurgery, delivered by the team at MedSync
Basic and Advanced Suturing, led by Aadya Mishra and Rajat Chitturu
Laparoscopy, supported by the Stoke Mandeville SIMS Team
For many attendees, these workshops were a highlight of the summit, offering a rare opportunity to develop practical skills, explore procedural specialties, and experience aspects of medicine that are difficult to replicate in lectures or textbooks.
From international research presentations and keynote talks to panel discussions, brain dissections, microsurgery, and laparoscopy, GMS Summit 2026 brought together students with a shared curiosity for medicine and a desire to learn beyond the classroom.
The weekend showcased what can happen when students, clinicians, researchers, and educators come together with a shared passion for medicine. It was a celebration of learning, innovation, and opportunity, leaving attendees inspired for the next stage of their medical journey.