The 2026 BFIRST Webinar Series
Welcome to the 2026 BFIRST Webinar Series. We offer focused, high-quality webinars for the global plastic surgery community, bringing together expert insights and practical discussions. Explore upcoming sessions and watch past webinars on demand.
Additional webinar dates and topics will follow throughout the year as we continue to expand our programme.
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Topic
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Speaker(s)
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Date
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Craniofacial Surgery
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Prof Dr. Richard Thomson
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July (Date and time TBC) |
| Global Microsurgery Joint Webinar |
Dr Chihena Banda
Dr Abdurazek Ali
Dr Kemi Ayoede
|
1 August 2026 (Time TBC) |
| Global Surgery |
Mr Naveen Cavale |
Date and time TBC |
July 2026
Craniofacial Surgery, Prof Dr. Richard Thomson
July (Date and Time TBC)
Dr. Richard Thomson is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UT Health San Antonio. His clinical practice focuses on the treatment of congenital and acquired facial differences, including post-Mohs reconstruction. He has particular expertise in Cleft Lip and Palate and provides comprehensive care across the full spectrum of pediatric plastic surgery.
Dr. Thomson received his medical degree from the University of Liverpool and subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Surgical Science and Practice from the University of Oxford. He completed his residency training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in Plastic Surgery (FRCS Plast).
He has undertaken extensive subspecialty training in Cleft, Craniofacial, and Pediatric Plastic Surgery, completing three international fellowships:
- Pediatric Plastic Surgery, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
- Craniofacial Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, England
- Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, London, England
Prior to joining UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Thomson served as an attending consultant at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and The Welsh Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery. He is committed to a patient-centered approach, emphasizing individualized care and clear communication with patients and families. He values close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to achieve the best possible outcomes for his patients.
View webinar
1st August 2026
Global Microsurgery Joint Webinar | Dr Chihena Banda, Dr Abdurazek Ali and Dr Kemi Ayoede
Dr Chihena Banda is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with an interest in reconstructive microsurgery and supermicrosurgery. He currently serves as Head of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Teaching Hospital and Lecturer under the University of Zambia School of Medicine. Dr Banda has established the first microsurgery practice in Lusaka, Zambia. His clinical research focuses on microsurgery, wound healing, burns, lymphovascular disease, keloids and global health, while his basic science research focuses on the role of neurovascular structures in wound healing and regeneration.
As one of only 3 qualified plastic surgeons working in Zambia, Dr Banda has focused his passion for academia on establishing the first plastic surgery residency training program in Zambia, and on improving reconstructive microsurgery training in sub-Saharan Africa to address the critical need for trained specialists in the region. He serves as director of the University of Zambia Microsurgery Training Center, a dedicated surgical skills lab in Zambia established in collaboration with Rotary international and the American College of Surgeons H.O.P.E with the goal of training microsurgeons in sub-Saharan Africa.
Date TBC
Global Surgery, Mr Naveen Cavale
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.
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