Over 750 of Australia's top anaesthetists, clinicians, researchers and medical leaders gather in Canberra to explore the future of patient safety and innovation
ASA
Canberra, 2–5 October
Over 750 of Australia’s top anaesthetists, clinicians, researchers and medical leaders from across Australia and globally will gather in Canberra this week for the Australian Society of Anaesthetists’ (ASA) National Scientific Congress (NSC) - a premier event for the anaesthesia profession.
Being held from 2–5 October at the National Convention Centre, this year's Congress theme is “Come Together” signifying a gathering of anaesthesia’s finest minds to explore a variety of topics including cutting-edge clinical developments, workforce sustainability, and the future of patient safety in our operating theatres.
The Congress has returned to Canberra after 13 years.
ASA President Dr Mark Sinclair said the Congress comes at a critical time for the profession, “Anaesthetists are at the frontline of surgical safety, pain management, and critical care.”
“The 2025 NSC is an opportunity for our community to come together to discuss not only medical innovation, but also the systemic and workforce challenges facing the profession in Australia.”
The Congress will feature keynote presentations from internationally recognised anaesthesia experts, including:
- Professor Tim Cook – known for his work leading the Royal College of Anaesthetists' National Audit Projects (UK), which focus on improving patient safety in anaesthesia and intensive care.
- Professor Cynthia Wong: Professor of Anesthesia at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa, USA. Professor Wong is an obstetric anesthesiologist.
- Professor Edward Mariano Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Anaesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and is Chief of the Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Care Service at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System.
- Professor Russell Gruen – a strong advocate for clinician scientists, who “bring both science and service to healthcare, instil relevance in new discoveries and translate findings to benefit patients”.
- Professor Alicia Dennis, internationally recognised Australian expert in obstetric anaesthesia, obstetric perioperative medicine and critical care, preeclampsia, and obstetric echocardiograph.
Hands-on workshops, scientific abstract presentations, and industry exhibits will run alongside a full educational program tailored to anaesthetists at every career stage.
Dr Sinclair also noted the significance of hosting the event in Canberra, “As Australia’s political capital, Canberra is a fitting stage for the NSC 2025, having started our 90th Anniversary in the nation’s capital last year, to return to kick off our 91st year is fitting”, he said.
The ASA National Scientific Congress is open to all ASA specialist and trainee members.
For interview:
- Dr Mark Sinclair, President of the ASA and practicing Anaesthetist for the past 26 years.
- Dr Vida Viliunas, OAM, Vice President of the ASA and practicing Anaesthetist for the past 30 years in Canberra.
- Dr Girish Palnitkar, NSC Convenor, is a locally and internationally trained specialist anaesthetist and proud Canberran since 2010.
About us:
With a community of over 4,000 members across Australia, the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) is a member-funded organisation dedicated to supporting, representing and educating anaesthetists to ensure the safest possible anaesthesia for the community. Established in 1934, we have been proudly been supporting anaesthetists for 90 years.
Contact details:
Leon Beswick / 0414 332267
