On Friday, 7 February, Professor Rowan Parks, President, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and Dr Clifford Y. Ko, Medical Director, Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) were awarded Honorary Fellowships of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland at the 2025 Charter Day Dinner.

Honorary Fellowship of RCSI is the highest distinction the College bestows, recognising outstanding achievements in surgery and beyond.

Professor Rowan Parks is a distinguished leader in surgical education and research. A graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, he trained in Northern Ireland before specialising in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. A committed educator, he has held senior roles in NHS Education for Scotland and played a pivotal role in surgical training and workforce development.

Currently President of RCSEd, Professor Parks has also serves as General Secretary of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association and has led key surgical organisations, including the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. His contributions to research include over 180 published papers, 48 book chapters, and 11 textbooks. He has been awarded honorary fellowships from multiple prestigious surgical colleges worldwide.

Reading the citation for Professor Parks, Ms Bridget Egan, Council Member, RCSI highlighted his dedication to education, training and research in the surgical field as well as his strong links to surgery in Ireland, including his late father Professor George Parks, President of RCSI from 2000-02.

Dr Clifford Y. Ko is a leading authority on surgical quality improvement and patient safety. A double-boarded surgeon, he specialises in colorectal diseases and is a Professor, Vice Chair of Surgery, and Chief of Colorectal Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, as well as a Professor of Health Services Research at the UCLA School of Public Health. Director of the Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care at ACS, he oversees initiatives such as the National Surgical Quality Improvement Programme and the Commission on Cancer, shaping surgical standards in the US and globally.

A highly respected researcher, Dr Ko has published over 500 peer-reviewed articles in top medical journals, with his work influencing national policies and performance measures in healthcare. His commitment to mentorship and education has guided the careers of numerous leading academics and clinicans.

Professor Carmel Malone, Council Member, RCSI who delivered the citation, praised Dr Ko as an internationally respected clinician and researcher who has dedicated his career to improving the quality and safety of surgical care, with an impact far beyond his own practice.

RCSI President, Professor Deborah McNamara, commented: “It is my pleasure to award Honorary Fellowships to two individuals who have demonstrated such commitment to their fields and have contributed significantly to the practice of surgery around the world. My sincere congratulations to both Professor Parks and Dr Ko.”

Find more information about previous Honorary Fellowships at RCSI here.