Honorary Chair Address

I am deeply grateful to AAGL, to the Scientific Program Committee, to Dr. Hibner, and Linda Michels for giving me this incredible honor — to serve as the Honorary Chair of the 2025 Annual Congress.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to them and to each of the AAGL staff, for your constant assistance, remarkable dedication, and hard work, which make this Congress possible. You are awesome!

A few words about the chair of this year’s scientific program committee.  Dr Michael Hibner,

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who bring happiness wherever they go and… those who bring happiness whenever they go.

Michael Hibner is definitely in the first group.

When he joined our MIGS fellowship he brought energy, enthusiasm, and dedication — and he’s never stopped. Congratulations, Michael.        You’ve not only met every expectation; you’ve surpassed your mentor. I couldn’t be any prouder of all that you’ve accomplished and look forward to your continued success and your future presidency.

It is a true privilege to be surrounded by so many remarkable colleagues, mentors, and educators sharing a common passion — advancing the health and quality of life of women around the world. This Congress is not only a celebration of scientific progress but also a testament to the spirit of relentless pursuit of clinical excellence, research, education, innovation, and advocacy that defines the AAGL community.  But just as importantly, it’s about the friendships and mentorships that bind this community together. We don’t just share knowledge — we share inspiration. We learn from one another, challenge each other, and support each other for our patients, for our trainees, and for the generations to come to reach higher levels.

 As I stand here today, I can’t help but think back on my own journey — on the mentors who guided me, the colleagues who challenged me, and the friends who stood by me through every step. So many faces in this room are part of that story. And to all of those with whom I’ve collaborated, shared podiums, conferences, debates, publications, trips, dinners, and celebrations, please accept my deepest gratitude and a big hug for your encouragement, support, and friendship over the years. And my deepest thanks to my friend CY Liu, whose introduction to AAGL sent me on this wonderful path.

Let me share with you a brief reflection on life.

Life is a succession of choices. You are here right now because of the many choices you’ve made throughout your life.

You chose to go to medical school.

You chose an OB/GYN residency.

You chose minimally invasive surgery.

You chose to join AAGL.

You chose to attend this annual congress.

And this afternoon you chose to be here in this General Session.

But of all the choices you’ve made in your professional journey, the best one?

Choosing AAGL.

You will understand why. At a time when using trocars, instead of large incisions, for gynecologic cancer was considered unacceptable by many oncology societies, AAGL welcomed me and a few other gyn oncologists with open arms. Together, we formed a Special Interest Group in oncology and showed to the world that you can cure cancer with trocars instead of incisions. And now this is the preferred approach when properly indicated.

And when robotics first appeared, AAGL once again showed vision and courage. While other organizations dismissed it as unnecessary or expensive technology, AAGL embraced it.  And today, not only is robotics a global standard, but telerobotics is in regular use in China and Japan and has been used for transcontinental operations from Europe to Asian countries, and for a radical prostatectomy from the US to Angola.  And now, with the da vinci STAR system, an autonomous robot capable of performing a bowel anastomosis, we stand at the edge of an entirely new frontier.  I can foresee that someday will have an autonomous closure of the vaginal cuff.

 Thank you, AAGL, for believing in innovation and for giving Gynecologic Oncology a home within minimally invasive surgery.

Congratulations, Linda Michel, for safeguarding those values that continue to make AAGL one of the most innovative and progressive surgical groups in the world.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s this: the greatest measure of success is not in our titles, publications, or presentations— it’s in the people we help, the colleagues we lift, and the patients whose lives we change. When you reflect back, I want you to be proud of what you have accomplished to benefit humanity.

To all of you,

I want to Thank you for choosing Medicine — for dedicating your lives to relieving suffering.

Thank you for choosing MIGS — to help women in need of healing with the least morbid tools.

Thank you for choosing AAGL — as your source of education, inspiration, and friendship.

And thank you for choosing to be the best version of yourselves — for your patients, your colleagues, your fellows, and your families.

I wish you success in your careers.
I wish you love in your lives.
I wish you compassion for your patients.
And I hope you never stop growing, every single day.

Be happy with what you have.
Be grateful for each new day.
And remember — each one of you is special, because you carry that unique gift that no one else has.

Don’t copy anyone. 
Be yourself.
Show the world who you are, what you are made of, and what you do that helps humanity.

And as I look around this room right now, I see the future — the next ideas, the next breakthroughs, the next generation of leaders who will continue this journey. Let’s keep our passion alive, our minds open, and our hearts committed to the women we serve. Together, we will continue to redefine what is already possible and will conquer what today is considered impossible.  

AAGL has been more than a professional home — it has been a family. A place that has shaped not only my career, but who I am as a surgeon, a mentor, and a person.

I have never served in any society, association, or organization that is more energetic, friendly, forward-thinking, innovative, receptive, and welcoming.

I am — and will always be — a proud member of AAGL.

Let’s keep doing what AAGL does best — innovating with courage, teaching with generosity, and caring with heart.

So today, my dear friends and colleagues I want to leave you with one question:
What will YOU do for AAGL?

Thank you and welcome to the 2025 AAGL Annual Congress.