In May 2019, the Farewell Symposium for Prof. Alain Borgeat, took place at the Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich, on the occasion of his retirement. Prof.Borgeat, apart from his pioneering work on the development and use of propofol, he devoted his career mainly to regional anesthesia. He has been Head of the Anesthesia Department at the Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich, for more than 20 years and a full professor at the Medical School of the University of Zurich since 2006. He “counts” more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, 40 book chapters, and numerous lectures. He has described techniques for the interscalene, infraclavicular and popliteal peripheral nerve blocks that are used worldwide and he has conducted several landmark clinical studies regarding the use of perineural catheters for perioperative pain control. His research work is reflected by multiple awards in recognition of his work and achievements such as 14 ESRA Prizes for Best Free Paper and Poster presentations, the ASRA Gaston Labat Award and the ASRA Karl Koller Memorial Research Grant. He continuously contributes to the scientific world with new studies and shares his experience and ideas, as he recently did by suggesting that local anesthetics, in addition to their anti-inflammatory properties may have antimetastatic properties as well.
He significantly contributed to the creation of the European Diploma of Regional Anaesthesia & Acute Pain Management (EDRA Diploma), which has been introduced into the educational activities of ESRA Society since 14 years and is the only Degree – Diploma related to Regional Anaesthesia, existing in Europe, thus attracting anaesthesiologists’ interest worldwide.
Prof. Borgeat has honored us several times with his presence in our Annual Hands-On Workshops and other ESRA Hellas meetings and also in the Panhellenic Congresses on RA, Pain therapy & Palliative Care and the ALGOS International Meeting, as an instructor and a lecturer. He is an honorary member of our scientific community.
During the farewell Symposium, as an ESRA representative, Dr Eleni Moka, ESRA Treasurer and ESRA Hellas General Secretary, gave a lecture regarding the Professor’s achievements in regional anesthesia.
ESRA Hellas Board wishes Prof. Borgeat to continue contributing his innovative ideas in Anesthetic practice and have a healthy and prosperous future.
For the Symposium’s program click here.
