Bridging Borders: A Conversation with Justin Ko, President of AOSRA-PM

In this special interview for the ESRA newsletter, we sit down with Dr. Justin Ko, the newly appointed President of the Asia-Oceania Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (AOSRA-PM).

Based in Seoul, South Korea, Dr. Ko brings a fresh perspective and dynamic leadership to the society.

Through this interview, we aim to delve into his vision, strategic plans, and personal insights to better understand the direction AOSRA-PM is heading under his leadership.

1/ Can you tell us a bit about your background? Where did you study medicine and complete your residency? Could you also share a brief overview of your professional journey leading to where you are currently practicing?

🗨️ I completed my medical degree at Hanyang University College of Medicine in Seoul, Korea and pursued my residency training at Samsung Medical Center. My passion for regional anesthesia began early in my career in 2008, particularly in ultrasound-guided techniques and multimodal pain management strategies.

Throughout my career, I have been actively involved in regional anesthesia education, clinical innovation, and research, focusing on optimizing peripheral nerve block techniques and the use of pharmacologic adjuncts to enhance pain control. I have had the privilege of mentoring numerous trainees and collaborating with international experts to advance best practices in the field.

As one of the founding members of Korean Society of Regional Anesthesia (KSRA), I have taken on key leadership roles, including Vice-President and current Advisory Board Member. These experiences have led me to my current position as the President of AOSRA-PM, beginning in August 2024, where I am committed to expanding education, research, and collaboration in regional anesthesia across the Asia-Oceania region.

2/ Congratulations on your new role as President of AOSRA-PM! As a young leader based in Seoul, South Korea, what are your primary objectives during your presidency?

🗨️ Thank you! It is a great honor to lead AOSRA-PM, and I am excited to work alongside colleagues across Asia and Oceania to advance regional anesthesia and pain medicine. My primary objectives during my presidency are:

1. Expanding Educational Initiatives – Strengthening training programs, hands-on workshops, and online learning opportunities for anesthesiologists at all levels.
2. Enhancing Research Collaboration – Encouraging multi-center studies and standardized protocols in regional anesthesia across the Asia-Oceania region.
3. Building Stronger Global Partnerships – Strengthening collaborations with ESRA, ASRA, LASRA, and AFSRA to create joint educational programs and faculty exchange opportunities.
4. Increasing Member Engagement – Developing initiatives such as a mentorship program, trainee development opportunities, and interactive conferences to boost participation in AOSRA-PM activities.

Ultimately, I want AOSRA-PM to be a hub of innovation, education, and collaboration in regional anesthesia in our region.

3/ How do you plan to strengthen the relationship between AOSRA-PM and other Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine societies worldwide, including ESRA?

🗨️ International collaboration is essential for advancing regional anesthesia practice. To strengthen our ties with ESRA and other global societies, I plan to:

• Host joint webinars, symposiums and workshops with ESRA, ASRA, and other societies at international conferences.
• Develop structured training programs that allow anesthesiologists to gain experience across different regions.
• Establish international research collaborations focused on regional anesthesia safety, effectiveness, and innovation.

By working closely with ESRA and other societies, we can ensure that regional anesthesia education and research remain at the forefront of perioperative care worldwide.

4/ What are some of the major challenges currently facing AOSRA-PM, particularly from your vantage point in Seoul, South Korea, and how do you intend to address them?

🗨️ Some key challenges include:

• Variability in regional anesthesia training across different countries in the Asia-Oceania region.
• Limited access to structured education programs in certain areas.
• A lack of large-scale collaborative research efforts to establish region-specific best practices.

To address these, AOSRA-PM will:

• Launch standardized training programs and fellowships to ensure consistent education across countries.
• Expand access to regional anesthesia workshops and mentorship programs, particularly in underserved regions.
• Encourage more collaborative research projects by connecting researchers across different countries within AOSRA-PM.

Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen the impact of regional anesthesia and pain medicine in the Asia-Oceania region.

5/ Are there any innovative initiatives or projects that you plan to introduce during your term?

🗨️ Yes, several exciting initiatives are in development, including:

• AOSRA-PM Regional Anesthesia Fellowship Program – A structured fellowship program across the Asia-Oceania region to standardize training and promote excellence in regional anesthesia.
• International Regional Anesthesia Credentialing Initiative – Collaborating with ESRA and ASRA to develop a standardized regional anesthesia certification.
• Research Expansion – Launching an AOSRA-PM Research Grant Program to support young researchers and multi-center studies.

6/ How do you envision the future of regional anesthesia and pain medicine in the Asia-Oceania region in the next five years?

🗨️The field of regional anesthesia is evolving rapidly. Over the next five years, I anticipate:

• Increased adoption of ultrasound-guided techniques as a standard of care.
• More structured fellowship programs to train future leaders in regional anesthesia.
• Greater emphasis on opioid-sparing techniques, integrating regional anesthesia into multimodal analgesia strategies.
• A rise in Asia-Oceania-led research collaborations, contributing to global guidelines.

7/ Can you share your strategies for promoting research and education within the society?

🗨️ Research and education are at the core of AOSRA-PM’s mission. My strategies include:

• Launching an AOSRA-PM Research Grant Program to fund multi-center studies.
• Establishing mentorship programs pairing experienced researchers with young anesthesiologists.
• Expanding online education platforms for wider accessibility.
• Monthly webinars to introduce innovative research advancements.

8/ What measures are you considering to increase member engagement and participation in AOSRA-PM activities?

🗨️ To enhance engagement, we are:

• Introducing a Young Anesthesiologist Fellowship Program to involve early-career professionals.
• Enhancing digital engagement through webinars, newsletters, and social media.
• Offering more leadership roles to members to promote active participation.
• Organizing more regional hands-on workshops to reach a broader audience.

9/ How important is international collaboration for AOSRA-PM, and in what areas do you see potential for growth?

🗨️ International collaboration is crucial for knowledge exchange and innovation. Key areas for growth include:

• Standardizing regional anesthesia education and training globally.
• Conducting multi-center clinical trials to generate robust data.
• Expanding faculty exchange programs to enhance learning experiences.
• Developing an internationally recognized certification for regional anesthesia.

AOSRA-PM is committed to strengthening global ties with ESRA and other societies to achieve these goals.

10/ As a young leader, what legacy do you hope to leave behind after your presidency?

🗨️ I hope to leave a legacy of:

• Stronger, standardized regional anesthesia education across Asia and Oceania.
• More research collaboration and multi-center studies.
• A thriving AOSRA-PM community with increased engagement.
• A globally connected society that fosters innovation and excellence in regional anesthesia.

Now let’s dive into the fun stuff!
In this next section, we peel back the professional layers to reveal the real Dr. Ko.

1/ As President you are expected to travel a lot, what’s the most unexpected item we’d find tucked into your suitcase?

🗨️ My Korean traditional buckwheat pillow and Korean noodles. The pillow helps me sleep comfortably no matter where I travel, and the spicy Korean noodles are my go-to-comfort food after a long day of meetings and lectures.

2/ If regional anesthesia techniques turned into music genres, which tune best matches your vibe—are we talking smooth jazz, pop, hip-hop, rap, or maybe rock ’n’ roll?

🗨️ My regional anesthesia techniques best match the dynamic and precise energy of K-pop idol groups like Seventeen, Stray Kids, and New Jeans, as both require innovation, seamless coordination, and flawless execution to achieve the best results.

3/ Presidential fuel of choice: coffee or tea?

🗨️ Coffee (Iced Americano)

4/ If anesthesiology wasn’t your gig, what alternate universe dream job would you be rocking right now?

🗨️ Professional golfer

5/ After a day filled with presidential duties, what’s your go-to activity to chill out and recharge?

🗨️ Swimming and reading a book on my kindle

6/ If you could summon any historical figure to join an AOSRA-PM dinner party, who’s getting the VIP invite and why?

🗨️ I would invite Winston Churchill because of his bold leadership, resilience, and visionary thinking. He thrived in times of crisis, showing determination and innovation. His famous words, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts,” perfectly captures the spirit of pushing boundaries and overcoming challenges in our field.

7/ Can you share a surprising or hilarious fact about yourself that your colleagues might find hard to believe.

🗨️ My hair is completely gray, and I dye it every month to keep a youthful look.

8/ Hit us with your favorite motivational quote or personal mantra that keeps you energized.

🗨️ My favorite quote is “You must do the things you think you cannot do,” by Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to embrace challenges and keep pushing forward in our field.

9/ Wrapping up with a bang—what’s the funniest or most unexpected moment you’ve experienced in your career in regional anesthesia?

🗨️ At WCA 2024 in Singapore, I discovered the night before my talk that I had prepared a general topic, while the session required a more specific focus. With little time to adjust, I stayed up all night refining my lecture, ensuring it aligned with the expectations. Despite the last-minute changes and no sleep, I managed to deliver the first session successfully, turning a stressful situation into a rewarding experience!