About this event
- Date and time Wed 13 Jan 2027 from 5:30pm to 7:45pm
- Location Royal Society of Medicine
- Organised by History of Medicine Society
Join the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) History of Medicine Section for this hybrid evening event tracing the extraordinary legacy of two fields that have transformed modern medicine: open-heart surgery and beta cell therapy.
From the first successful open-heart procedures to beta cell replacement therapies aimed at curing rather than simply managing diabetes, this evening examines the historical breakthroughs, scientific milestones and future directions shaping cardiac surgery and cellular medicine. As advances in regenerative medicine, stem cell science, transplantation and minimally invasive cardiac surgery continue to converge, this is a particularly timely moment to reflect on how far these disciplines have come and where they are heading.
Why attend?
- Hear from Benjamin Fisher (Fellow, University of Minnesota) on the early history of open-heart surgery, and Professor James V Harmon (Professor of Surgery, University of Minnesota) on the early history of pancreas and islet transplantation, chaired by Professor Nadey Hakim, President of the RSM History of Medicine Section
- Gain an interdisciplinary perspective bridging surgery, transplantation, endocrinology, biotechnology and regenerative medicine in a single evening
- Explore the historical foundations of open-heart surgery and beta cell therapy alongside emerging technologies and future clinical applications
- Engage with expert panel discussion connecting historical milestones with current innovations and future therapeutic strategies
- Continue the discussion over an optional dinner following the event, available to pre-registered delegates
Aims of the event
- To explore the historical evolution and major milestones of open-heart surgery and beta cell therapy
- To examine current innovations and future directions in cardiac surgery, transplantation, regenerative medicine and diabetes treatment
- To foster interdisciplinary dialogue between clinicians, surgeons, scientists and healthcare innovators working at the forefront of modern medicine
Learning outcomes
By the end of this event, participants will be able to:
- Describe the major historical milestones in the development of open-heart surgery and beta cell therapy and their contribution to modern medicine
- Evaluate current innovations and emerging directions in cardiac surgery, transplantation, regenerative medicine and diabetes treatment
- Identify the interdisciplinary connections between surgery, transplantation, endocrinology and regenerative medicine and their implications for future clinical practice
Who should attend?
This event is relevant to:
- Clinicians and healthcare professionals with an interest in medical history, including cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, endocrinologists and transplant specialists
- Historians, academics, researchers and students working across medicine, history and related disciplines
- Members of the public with an interest in the history of medicine and surgical innovation
RSM members enjoy free access to over 200 expert-led events each year, including CPD-accredited learning.
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Show Virtual / In Person rates
Tickets (In Person)
Standard pricing available until 05 January 2027.
Member
RSM Member
| Day 1 |
|---|
|
£0.00
Meeting
£58.00
Dinner
(optional) |
RSM Student
| Day 1 |
|---|
|
£0.00
Meeting
£58.00
Dinner
(optional) |
Non - Member
Non - Member
| Day 1 |
|---|
|
£44.00
Meeting
£58.00
Dinner
(optional) |
Student
| Day 1 |
|---|
|
£8.00
Meeting
£58.00
Dinner
(optional) |
Tickets (Virtual)
Standard pricing available until 13 January 2027.
Member
RSM Member
| Day 1 |
|---|
|
£0.00
Meeting
£58.00
Dinner
(optional) |
RSM Student
| Day 1 |
|---|
|
£0.00
Meeting
£58.00
Dinner
(optional) |
Non - Member
Non - Member
| Day 1 |
|---|
|
£25.00
Meeting
£58.00
Dinner
(optional) |
Student
| Day 1 |
|---|
|
£6.00
Meeting
£58.00
Dinner
(optional) |
Location
Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole St, Marylebone, London, W1G 0AE, United Kingdom
Registration for this event will close at 1:00am on 6 January 2027 for in-person registrants and 13 January 2027 for virtual registrants. Late registrations will not be accepted.
The agenda is subject to change.
Where the event is recorded, only presentations for which permission has been granted will be made available after the event. The availability of recordings is at the discretion of the speakers and the Royal Society of Medicine. Recordings may be distributed in the future via RSM digital channels.
All views expressed at this event are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Royal Society of Medicine or the speakers’ organisations.