BFIRST February 2026 Newsletter

03 March 2026

News

New Treasurer

This month we welcome Alan Neffy as the new treasurer for BFIRST! He is featured in this month’s meet the team.

Webinar series

Thank you, Mr Emam for a fantastic talk on setting up an orthoplastic service in the UK, given this month! If you missed the webinar you can watch it on our website!

BFIRST Essay Prize

BFIRST Essay Prize (£250.00) 2026
We are delighted to announce the 2026 BFIRST Essay Prize!
 
The title for this year’s contest is “How can harnessing AI transform surgical care in resource-poor countries – for better or worse?” 
 
We are looking forward to receiving your essay until 23.59 GMT, on 1 May 2026.
The winner will present their work in an upcoming BFIRST Overseas Day or session at the BAPRAS Winter meeting. (Please note we will not fund travel to this meeting however this work can be presented virtually).
 
Submission
To submit your essay, please send it to info@bfirst.org.uk.
Please provide a separate note with your essay containing your name, grade and current hospital of work. This information will not be provided to your assessors and all essays will be graded anonymously.
 
Eligibility

• Resident Doctors at all stages and medical students worldwide are eligible to submit an essay to be considered for the prize.
• Submissions made after the deadline has passed will not be taken into consideration.
• Please refrain from using your own title and use the title provided above.
• Please do not include your name in the text of the essay itself.
• Multiple submissions of the same or different essays are not allowed, and only the first submitted essay will be graded.

 
Word count and document formatting

• Maximum word count 1500 words. Any content beyond the word count will not be assessed.
• Please submit in Word or PDF format.
• Please use double spaced Calibri Font 12 for all content of your essay.

 
Any deviation from this will result in penalisation.

Meet the Team

 Alan Neffy: Finance, governance and policy subcommittee

Tell us about yourself!
My name is Alan Neffy and I have a background in Financial Accounting, Mathematics and Analysis. I have worked in both the public and private sectors, which has given me strong experience in financial management and accountability. I believe transparency and good financial control are key to any organisation’s success.

Tell us about your time with BFIRST
Although I am new to the Treasurer role, I have enjoyed learning more about BFIRST and its important international work in reconstructive surgery and medical training. It has been inspiring to see the life-changing impact the charity has on patients and professionals. I look forward to supporting its continued growth through strong financial management.

Why did you want to work with BFIRST?
I wanted to join BFIRST because I believe in supporting work that has a real humanitarian impact. The charity’s focus on international reconstructive surgery and medical training truly changes lives. I felt my financial background could help ensure the organisation remains strong and sustainable.

What are your aspirations for BFIRST?
My aspiration is to help maintain strong financial stability and good governance so BFIRST can continue expanding its international work and reach more patients and professionals in need.

What do you like to do outside of work and BFIRST?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, staying active, and continuously developing myself both personally and professionally.

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Webinars

BFIRST 2026 Webinar Series

Global Surgery by Mr Naveen Cavale
18/4/2026 13:00 GMT

Mr Cavale trained in London and has been a consultant plastic surgeon since 2009. He has an NHS and Private Practice, both based in South London. Since 2014, he has been visiting Gaza, with a team of Limb Reconstruction surgeons, helping to look after complex blast and gunshot injuries. As well as direct patient care, the emphasis there has been on training local surgeons to increase capacity. Via BFIRST, Mr Cavale is involved in a collaboration project with BSSH in Tanzania. Mr Cavale is the past Chair of BFIRST and continues to play an active role.

The link for the webinar will be made available in next month’s newsletter.

Please follow our socials for updates about future webinars.

If you have missed any of the webinars from last year, you can watch them on our website including some fantastic webinars for revision of key topics within Plastic Surgery!
Our previous webinars are now also available via our YouTube channel!
 

Fellowships

BFIRST Fellows

The 2026 BFIRST fellows have been selected, congratulations to:
Dr Lambert Onahi Iji from Nigeria
Dr Masroor-ur-Rahman from Bangladesh
Dr Natasha Ilako from Kenya

BFIRST Fellow Updates

Dr Most Nurunnahar Begun
I am deeply grateful to BFIRST for awarding me this fellowship and for fully funding my six-week clinical attachment at the Plastic and Hand Surgery Unit of Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), Leeds, United Kingdom, under the supervision of Miss Grainne Bourke, Consultant Plastic and Hand Surgeon. This fellowship provided an invaluable opportunity to gain advanced exposure to modern plastic and reconstructive surgical practices in a high-volume tertiary referral centre, significantly enriching my clinical skills and professional knowledge.

I am a plastic surgeon from Bangladesh with a strong passion for working with children, particularly those with congenital hand anomalies, post-burn deformities, and traumatic injuries. I have also managed patients with devastating high-voltage electrical burns and burn-related amputations. My long-term interests include advocating for burn amputees with advanced facilities like hand transplant, myoelectric hand and increasing awareness and support for individuals with congenital hand anomalies. However, in a resource-limited country like Bangladesh, access to advanced subspecialty training and modern surgical techniques remains limited. With the aim of strengthening my expertise—particularly in hand surgery—I applied for the BFIRST Fellowship and was fortunate to be selected.

At Leeds General Infirmary, I had the privilege of working in an outstanding learning environment under the guidance of Miss Grainne Bourke, one of the most confident, skilled, and inspiring hand surgeons I have ever met. LGI is a renowned centre of excellence in plastic, reconstructive, and hand and microsurgery, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary care, evidence-based practice, and surgical innovation. I was warmly welcomed by consultants, registrars, nurses, and allied health professionals, whose structured teaching and supportive approach greatly enhanced my learning experience.

During my attachment, I actively participated in hand clinics, operating theatre sessions, ward rounds, multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, and academic teaching activities. On my very first day, I observed the second stage surgery of a bilateral hand transplant case—an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience. I also attended follow-up clinics for hand transplant patients with Professor Simon Kay and other consultant plastic and hand surgeons, which was both inspiring and educational.

With Miss Grainne Bourke

My primary focus throughout the fellowship was hand surgery. I observed a wide range of cases, including hand trauma, tendon and nerve injuries, congenital hand anomalies, brachial plexus injuries, microsurgical reconstructions, skin cancer reconstructions, and post-traumatic deformities. I was particularly impressed by the structured approach to patient care, the emphasis on functional recovery, and the close collaboration with hand therapists—elements that are highly relevant to improving outcomes in my home country. The strong focus on patient safety, meticulous surgical technique, complication management, and evidence-based practice greatly enhanced my understanding of contemporary plastic surgery.

Beyond surgical skills, this fellowship deepened my appreciation for clinical governance, proper documentation, informed consent, infection control, and multidisciplinary teamwork. These are essential components of high-quality healthcare delivery and are areas I aim to further develop in my own institution.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my fellowship was attending the Children’s Hand Clinic. The atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming, with many children and their families gathered in a large hall while consultants, professors, fellows, and physiotherapists attended to them systematically. These clinics provided an excellent learning environment, particularly in surgical planning, postoperative follow-up, rehabilitation, parental counselling, and consent-taking.

I am profoundly grateful to Miss Grainne Bourke for giving me the opportunity to work under her supervision and for her constant guidance and encouragement. I would also like to sincerely thank Professor Simon Kay, Mr. Robert Bains, Mr. Waseem Bhat, Miss Rachel Currie, Dr. Kavit Amin, and all other consultants, physiotherapists, nurses, and staff for their warm acceptance and for making my observership such a memorable experience. Special thanks go to Miss Kate Radcliffe for her tremendous support in every aspect of my fellowship, and to Mr. Bojan, the administrative officer, for efficiently facilitating all official procedures.

With Miss Grainne Bourke

As part of the fellowship, I also had the opportunity to attend an advanced hand and wrist cadaveric dissection course in London, organised by Miss Lauren Uppal and Mr. George Murphy. The course was exceptionally well organised, with supportive and friendly trainers. I gained hands-on experience in flap dissections, nerve decompression procedures, joint replacement techniques, and more.

In London, with cadaveric dissection course team

In addition to my professional training, I had the chance to travel and explore several cities, including London, Colchester, Harrogate, and York. Leeds itself is a wonderful city with warm and welcoming people, and I truly miss my time there.

The BFIRST Fellowship has had a profound impact on my professional development. It significantly broadened my perspective on hand surgery and will positively influence my clinical practice in Bangladesh. The knowledge and skills I gained will allow me to provide improved patient care and to share these experiences with colleagues and junior trainees, contributing to capacity building in a resource-limited setting.

In conclusion, the BFIRST Fellowship observership at Leeds General Infirmary was a deeply rewarding and enriching experience. I am sincerely thankful to the BFIRST Committee for this opportunity and to Miss Grainne Bourke for her mentorship, guidance, and unwavering support throughout my training. This fellowship represents a significant milestone in my career as a plastic and hand surgeon and has inspired both professional growth and international academic collaboration.
Thank you all.

Dr Tobi Abass: BFIRST Fellow in Taiwan

Dr Abass is currently completing a twelve month BFIRST fellowship in Taiwan, under Professor Seng-Feng Jeng.

Here is a summary of his typical day in Taiwan:

“I am mostly up by 5am and do personal routine activities. Breakfast isn't my cup of tea, so that is ommited, and I head out to the hospital, which is a 3 minute walk from my accommodation, and commence the activity of the day depending on what is scheduled.

Today, being a Monday, I start with the departmental seminar at 7:30 AM, where a review of the previous week is summarised - a review of the cases done the week before, incidents or complications, and literature review. The chief resident presents the compiled list of cases.

This is followed by clinic consultations and then a preoperative ward round. I don't speak Mandarin, but I join the attendings (Dr Shih and Prof Jeng) in clinic and we discuss.

Elective microsurgery cases are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays with knife-on-skin at 8:30am sharp. A variety of free flaps are performed, including but not limited to ALT for oral reconstruction post tumour extirpation, DIEP, and free fibular flap of which I actively participate.

Combined reconstructions with other specialities can pop up any weekday with advance notice. The cases mostly occur in the evenings or run into the midnight.

Around 3:00 PM, I try to carve out a short break for a phone call home—being seven hours ahead makes this the best window to connect with family.

Depending on the day’s load, I head home in the early evening or only after midnight following combined cases. Once back, I have a meal, unwind, reflect on the day, and prepare for the next day.

The mix of structured seminars, high-volume elective cases, and unpredictable combined reconstructions delivers unparalleled training. Every day sharpens my skills further. Thank you for this opportunity."

Fundraising

We would be grateful for any donations to help support our work

Tough Mudder

BFIRST are planning to enter a team for Tough Mudder in September, if you are keen to join the BFIRST Tough Mudder team let us know here!

London to Paris 24 hour cycling challenge

Nav Cavale will be fundraising for BFIRST through the London to Paris 24Hrs Cycle in May!

If you want to join him and the BFIRST team in this challenge let us know here!

Click here for more information about this event.

BFIRST Scrub Hats

We launched the BFIRST scrub hats at the BAPRAS Congress in December 2025, which were hugely popular, if you would like to purchase a hat please email: hcroberts46@gmail.com. All proceeds will fund work undertaken by BFIRST!

Easyfundraising

Raise free funds for BFIRST with your everyday online shopping, visit easyfundraising to get started.
When shopping online by signing up to Easyfundraising your purchases will generate free funding for BFIRST!

Other

Open Hand Therapy Initiative   

The Open Hand Therapy Initiative aims to improve hand injury care in resource challenged settings in order to reduce disability, improve quality of life and increase chances of work for people with hand injuries and conditions.

They provide accessible, relevant and captivating learning opportunities for generalist occupational therapists and physiotherapists that motivate ongoing development for hand-injury care.

They also invite hand therapists acquainted with the challenges faced in low to middle income countries to participate in strengthening hand injury care in these settings by sharing their expertise.

For more information click here!

How can I help?

Volunteering

BFIRST is keen for surgeons, nurses and allied specialists to all get involved. Please do get in touch if you are interested. Reconstructive surgery is a team sport!