Professor David J. O’Regan

President, International Collaboration of Surgical Education and Training (ICOSET) MBA (Distinction) • MD • BM • FRCSEd • FRCSEd (C-Th) • FFSTEd

LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/pub/david-o-regan/8/b6/47a Twitter: @David_ukan | @BBASS_skills Websites: www.heart2health.co.uk | www.bbass.org

Professor David J. O’Regan is an internationally recognised surgeon, educator, and advocate for excellence in surgical training. Currently serving as 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 a passion for educational innovation. He previously held a distinguished clinical career as Consultant Adult Cardiac Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (UK), where he was celebrated for his mentorship and commitment to professional development and quality in heath delivery.

A pioneer in simulation-based and low-fidelity skills training, Professor O’Regan founded the Black Belt Academy of Surgical Skills (BBASS) — an international educational community now engaging more than 5,000 participants across 135 countries. He also established the Yorkshire Heart Centre Wetlab, securing significant funding to develop a state-of-the-art surgical skills centre, and directed the long-running PAR Excellence and PAR Aorta training programmes, both recognised for outstanding educational impact.

His leadership roles have 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. He was President of the Association of Surgeon in Training where he initiated and coordinated the Silver Scalpel Award to identify the best surgical trainer of the UK for twenty-two years.

Professor O’Regan’s contributions to education and mentorship have been recognised with numerous honours ; Visiting Professorship at Imperial College London, and a shortlist nomination for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year at the Times ASEAN Awards (2025).

Through ICOSET, he continues to inspire a global community of educators, surgeons, and learners — promoting a culture of mastery, humility, and continuous growth in surgical practice and education.