Awards - Lifetime Achievement and ESSO Medal

Professor Angelita Habr-Gama is Professor of Surgery (Emeritus) at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Honorary Fellow of ASA, ACS, Royal College of Surgeons – England, ESA, Italian Society of Surgery, ALACP, ASCRS, ASTRO, ESTRO, Societies of Coloproctology from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia.

She was Head of the Department of Surgery of the Colon, Rectum and Anus and Head of the Gastroenterological Department of the University of São Paulo Medical School during 1998 and 2001.

Her research interests are Colorectal Cancer: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment, Oncogenesis and Oncogenomics of Colorectal Cancers, Neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer, and Prevention and screening for rectal cancer, and is internationally recognized for describing and disseminating the ‘Watch & Wait’ strategy in the treatment of distal rectal cancer. Professor Habr-Gama has published 264 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and was awarded the Bigelow Medal granted by Boston Surgical Society in 2023.

Prof. Beate Rau is Professor of Surgery at the CHARITÈ Medical University in Berlin. Her journey into surgical oncology began in 1984 during her internship, where she was drawn to the challenges of oncology. In 1992, she specialized in surgical oncology, focusing exclusively on cancer patients. Early in her career, she encountered limited treatment options for metastatic cancers, which motivated her to contribute to overcoming these limitations.

In 1996, Prof. Rau became involved in the treatment of Peritoneal Surface Malignancy (PSM), and by 1998, she was working with Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) for peritoneal metastases. Initially skeptical, she soon recognized the potential of CRS, contributing to the development of staging laparoscopy for better visualization and diagnosis of abdominal metastasis.

She is dedicated to educating the next generation of surgeons, focusing on the skills and knowledge needed to handle complex oncological surgeries. Her work has greatly contributed to the development of educational programs for surgical oncology, ensuring that future surgeons benefit from her experience. Her key Contributions and Achievements includes:
• Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) & HIPEC: Prof. Rau played a pivotal role in the development of the CRS and HIPEC course with the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO).
• GASTRIPEC Trial: Managed a randomized clinical trial for gastric cancer, further advancing treatment protocols for gastric tumors.
• Mentorship: With mentorship from renowned surgeons such as Prof. I. Vogt-Moykopf, Prof. P. Schlag, and Prof. P. Hohenberger, Prof. Rau established a solid foundation in surgical oncology and has since focused on training future surgeons in complex cancer surgeries.

Looking to the future, Prof. Rau aims to create a global platform for surgeons to share knowledge and raise standards of care for cancer patients. She also values her private life with her husband, which contributes to her well-being and work-life balance. Prof. Rau’s career continues to be driven by a passion for progress in cancer treatment, education, and patient care.