A Vision for AAGL in 2026: Plus Ultra!
Dear AAGL Family,
As of January 1st, I have the profound honor of serving as your next AAGL President. Before I share my vision for our society, I must first express my deep gratitude to Dr. Ted Anderson, my predecessor, for his exceptional leadership and, more importantly, for being a wonderful friend and mentor. Ted, you’ve left me with big shoes to fill, and I’ll do my best not to stumble.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am originally from Warsaw, Poland, where I completed medical school before moving to the United States in 1994. In 2003, I completed my fellowship in Advanced Gynecologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic under the legendary Dr. Javier Magrina, and I later became board certified in urogynecology. That journey—from Poland to Phoenix, from medical student to subspecialist—taught me that growth happens when we embrace new challenges and surround ourselves with exceptional mentors and colleagues.
On a personal note, I am fortunate to be married to Dr. Ola Hibner, an amazing neonatologist who keeps me grounded and inspired. I also have two wonderful children, both at Arizona State University: Jack, whom some of you met at the Vancouver meeting, is a math and physics major, and Annika, the apple of my eye, is a premed student.
My journey with AAGL spans over two decades, and what a remarkable journey it has been. I founded our Pelvic Pain Special Interest Group, established a MIGS fellowship at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix in 2006, served on the Board of Directors in 2015, and organized numerous pelvic pain courses for our society. Professionally, I have dedicated my practice exclusively to pelvic pain and pudendal neuralgia, eventually leaving academia to start my own practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. For twenty years, AAGL has been my second family—and like any family, we accomplish our best work when we come together.
I am thrilled to serve alongside Dr. Nash Mowad, Dr. Rosanne Kho, and our outstanding Board of Directors. I am equally excited to work with the amazing AAGL office staff—the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything we do possible. Together, we are dedicated to advancing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and improving care for women worldwide.
Now, here is my challenge to you: Get involved! AAGL offers extraordinary opportunities for professional growth, networking, and making a genuine difference in our field. Join a Special Interest Group that aligns with your interests—whether that’s pelvic pain, endometriosis, robotics, or any of our other dynamic SIGs. Attend our webinars, which bring world-class education directly to your screen. Make plans to join us at our annual Global Congress, where the energy and camaraderie are unmatched. Read our eblasts to stay informed about the latest developments in our specialty. Or take it a step further and help organize these programs yourself.
Your voice matters. I genuinely want to hear your ideas, regardless of your subspecialty or career stage. Please email me directly at mhibner@azccpp.com with your thoughts and suggestions. I promise to bring them to our Board for consideration. This society belongs to all of us, and its future depends on your engagement.
Looking ahead, I am particularly passionate about fostering innovation. With my background in biomedical engineering, I want to champion the integration of artificial intelligence in surgery and support the development of new surgical instrumentation. The technological landscape is evolving rapidly, and AAGL must remain at the forefront of these advances.
Thank you for entrusting me with this incredible responsibility. I hope to live up to your expectations—or at the very least, provide entertaining meeting introductions.
As we embark on 2026 together, I leave you with a motto close to my heart: Plus Ultra—further beyond. Let us push boundaries, embrace innovation, support one another, and build the future of gynecologic surgery together.
Here’s to an extraordinary year ahead.
Warm regards,
Michael Hibner, MD, PhD
AAGL President, 2026
