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Professor David J. O’Regan: internationally recognised surgeon, educator, and advocate for excellence in surgical training.
Current position: Professor in the Medical Education Research and Development Unit at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya.
Professor O’Regan combines decades of clinical experience with passion for educational innovation. Distinguished clinical career as Consultant Adult Cardiac Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (UK), where he championed: mentorship, commitment to professional development and continuous quality improvement in healthcare.
Pioneering simulation-based and low-fidelity skills training, Professor O’Regan founded the Black Belt Academy of Surgical Skills (BBASS) — an international educational community (engaging 5,000+ participants across 135 countries). Established the Yorkshire Heart Centre Wetlab, securing significant funding to develop this state-of-the-art surgical skills centre, whilst directing the long-running PAR Excellence and PAR Aorta training programmes (internationally recognised for delivery & outstanding educational impact).
Leadership roles included Director of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, where he shaped national strategy, strengthened professional standards, and introduced the FST Medal for Distinguished Services to Surgical Training. As President of the Association of Surgeons in Training, (ASiT) he initiated and coordinated development and delivery of the Silver Scalpel Award to identify the best UK surgical trainer for twenty-two years.
Professor O’Regan’s contributions to education and mentorship recognised with numerous honours: Visiting Professorship at Imperial College London and shortlist nomination for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year at the Times ASEAN Awards (2025).
His pivotal role and commitment to ICOSET inspires our global community of educators, surgeons, and learners — promoting a culture of mastery, humility, and continuous growth in surgical practice and education.