International Relations Office Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
“The professors and teachers were generous, treating me as their medical student and assisting me with my studies.”
Khon Kaen University with the Thai Society for Head and Neck Oncology and the Asian Society of Head and Neck Oncology recently hosted the International Conference on Head & Neck Oncology 2024: Precision Approach in Management of Head and Neck Cancer. The conference was held between February 1 and 2, 2024 at Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid Hotel with featured speakers from the United States, South Korea, Netherlands, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand.
The event was organized by KKU International Affairs Division and Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry with over 100 local and international participants. It aimed to promote internationalization, support learning, and facilitate collaborative opportunities between medical specialists, medical science researchers, fellows, residents, and support professionals in this field. It also marked a milestone in the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Khon Kaen University’s establishment.
Over 100 local and international conference participants
In the opening ceremony, Professor Patravoot Vatanasapt, the President of Asian Society of Head and Neck Oncology (ASHNO) deliver a welcome speech to the delegates.
“We at Khon Kaen University have targeted head and neck cancer problems with extensive research, expanding healthcare services, and medical specialist development for the benefit of people in the regional community,” reported Professor Vatanasapt.
“We see this event as a platform for the participants to learn and exchange advanced knowledge with world-renowned professionals on precision management in head and neck cancers, a significant strategy in Khon Kaen University’s drive towards the goal of sustainability,” he added.
Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University then presided over the opening ceremony and delivered an opening speech to extend his warmest welcome to all participants gathered for the Conference.
“This exchange of Eastern and Western insights and practices on head and neck oncology promises to serve as a valuable forum for enhancing our comprehension of precision medicine in this specialty,” said Professor Panthongviriyakul.
“I invite you to immerse yourselves in the International Conference on Head & Neck Oncology 2024 and to enjoy both an enlightening conference experience and the hospitality of our city of Khon Kaen,” he added.
Opening speech by Professor Panthongviriyakul, KKU President
Welcome speech by Professor Vatanasapt, the President of ASHNO
Keynote presentations were given by invited speakers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard Medical School, USA as follows; “New Paradigm in Medical Oncology, from MDT to Precision Approach in Oropharyngeal Cancer” by Dr. Lori Wirth, “Precision Diagnosis of Head & Neck Cancer, the New HPV Testing Guidelines” by Dr. William Faquin and Dr. Peter Sadow, “Trans Oral Robotic Surgery, Who, When, and Why?” by Dr. Jeremy Richmon, “Cutting Edge in Radiation Oncology for Head & Neck Cancer: AI & SBRT” by Dr. James McIntyre, “Application of AI in Oncology” by Dr. Shawn Murphy, and “Clear Cell Odontogenic Carcinoma and Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Salivary Gland” by Dr. Maria Troulis.
KKU administrators and keynote speakers
There were parallel sessions with three breakout rooms to discuss topics including “Precision Surgery in Head and Neck Oncology,” “Implementing Precision Medicine in Head & Neck Oncology,” and “Tips and Tricks: Patient Registries and Computer Vision in Oncology.” There were also panel discussions on East vs West Perspectives on Head and Neck Cancer to develop collaborative research approaches to these issues.
Parallel sessions
Panel Discussion on East vs West Perspectives on Head & Neck Cancer
KKU was honored to host the International Conference on Head & Neck Oncology 2024. This international collaboration from head and neck oncology expert multidisciplinary teams provided a great opportunity for advancing clinical treatment quality for patients with head and neck cancers.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun and Thu Thu Han
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
On November 23, 2023, our Nursing Department welcomed a delegation from the Faculty of Health and Social Care, Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics (MUC), Norway. Their delegation, led by Associate Professor Dr. Elin Mordal visited KKU to sign a MOU on academic cooperation with the Faculty of Nursing.
Mrs. Benchamart Channuan, RN, Deputy Hospital Director for Nursing Department, and her delegates delivered a welcome speech. MUC delegation then visited the Karunruk Palliative Care Center, Accident and Emergency Nursing Division, Wards 2B and 2D, and our Pediatric Nursing Division.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
MD-KKU recently welcomed third-year Associate Degree students from the Medical Laboratory Program at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Puthisastra, Cambodia for an exchange program at Diagnostic Microscopic Laboratory, Srinagarind Hospital between November 24 and December 1, 2023.
They had many clinical learning experiences through the exchange program including a lecture on the structure and operational procedures of the Diagnostic Microscopic Laboratory. They also visited many places such as Specimen Center Unit, Clinical Diagnostic Microscopy Unit, Clinical Diagnostic Chemist and Immunology Unit, Clinical Microbiology Unit, Molecular Unit, Andrology Lab Unit, and Srinagarind Excellent Lab Unit.
On the final day, they gave presentations reflecting on and sharing their experiences. They learned a lot and were challenged during their visit. For instance, studying abroad gave them more independence, learning how self-management is crucial especially time, financial, and task management. However, they faced language barriers. To survive in Thailand, they had to not only practice English but also learn basic Thai communication skills.
Although they were many challenges during the visit, they were very useful learning experiences. They gained new clinical experience and knowledge that can be applied to their future careers as well as practicing foreign language communication skills.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
MD-KKU’s Department of Medicine recently welcomed Dr. Takeharu Oda, a resident from Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Japan on a one-week staff exchange program at the Division of Cardiology from November 27 to December 1, 2023.
Dr. Oda’s visit to KKU was under a MOU to promote academic and medical research collaborations between MD-KKU and overseas universities by exchanging doctors, nurses, and medical students. His visit’s objective was to gain medical knowledge and skills for keeping up with future challenges in medical situations and health services provision.
During his visit, he appreciated the knowledge and experience he gained with our medical staff:
“I have such great memories with KKU doctors because they taught me a lot about Cardiology in English that can be helpful to me. It was easy to understand and communicate with them during my visit,” said Dr. Oda.
“KKU doctors are very educational, so this is why you should come on exchange with them,” he recommended.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
Associate Professor Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs recently welcomed Professor Carlito Lebrilla from the Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
On November 21, 2023 Professor Lebrilla made a presentation in the Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MBMB) seminar series 2/2023 on “Structural methods to probe and characterize the glycocarlyx interactions in the cell membrane”.
His research focuses on developing bioanalytical methods based on mass spectrometry with the goals of structurally characterizing bioactives in food and determining their relationships to health and diseases. Also, he and his team use Agilent technology to analyze the components of human milk and gain a better understanding of their various functions.
On this occasion, the Department’s staff led by Associate Professor Kulthida Vaeteewoottacharn, MD, Head of the Department also met with Professor Lebrille to discuss the development of collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
MD-KKU’s Department of Anesthesiology recently welcomed Assistant Professor Hirotaka Okuda, MD, PhD, a physician anesthesiologist from the Department of Anesthesiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine on a one-week medical exchange from November 20 to 24, 2023.
Professor Okuda is currently practicing anesthesia at St.Marianna University Hospital. His career is driven by a genuine desire to assist surgical patients through the challenge of perioperative management, minimizing nociceptive reaction during surgery, providing postoperative analgesia, adequate airway and circulation managements for surgical patients.
His visit to KKU was to learn from foreign hospital practice, gaining fresh insights and experiences that can enhance his professional journey. He was particularly interested in observing and understanding the operational dynamics of healthcare systems in different countries.
During his visit, he gained invaluable knowledge and experience that can help shaping the future of his own practice and deepening the exchange between MD-KKU and St.Marianna University:
“The KKU hospital has so many patients that I can see many cases, so I can have a good experience even if I stayed for a short time,” said Professor Okuda.
“I also ate a lot of local food and everything was delicious. I definitely want to study here again,” he added.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
“Japanese culture, people, and how the city is clean and organized inspire me to go visit Japan as a medical student at least once as a medical student.”
MD-KKU’s Department of Emergency Medicine recently welcomed Dr.Travis Westcott, an emergency medicine specialist from Emergency Medicine Department of Southland Hospital, New Zealand, for a three-month clinical exchange and training program between October 12, 2023 and January 5, 2024.
Dr. Westcott has worked in Emergency Medicine since 2005 and is passionate about providing the best possible care for patients and where possible taking a preventative medicine approach. He also has a passion for point of care ultrasound and also has non-clinical portfolios covering ultrasound teaching, emergency department security, equipment acquisition, review of reportable and sentinel events, and management plans for difficult patients and staff rostering.
During his stay in KKU, he hopes would like to learn more about South East Asia culture and languages and in particular how patients interact with the Thai health care system, to be exposed to the unique challenges of tropical medicine, and to share his emergency medicine knowledge and skills in developing specialty areas (in particular the growing use of point of care Ultrasound medicine).
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
“I will remember all the knowledge, experiences, and feelings from Aichi Medical University, Japan, and will use them as motivation and inspiration for the rest of my career life.”
