Congress Satellite Activities

Dive into innovation and learning with our Congress Satellite Activities

The ESOT Congress experience extends beyond the main programme, with special sessions and interactive workshops designed to deepen knowledge, sharpen skills, and spark insightful discussions.

Whether you join us early for our pre-congress webinars, participate in our onsite hands-on workshops or tune in for expert insights via our TV studio, these activities will enrich your ESOT Congress experience. Find further information below, and stay tuned for further updates!

Pre-Congress Activities (Online)

  • Tuesday, 6 May 2025 at 18:00 CEST

    Description

    An overview of the progress made in machine perfusion, the evidence base to support it, and a comparison of the different options available. With increase number of DCD, cardiothoracic retrieval and transplantation is facing numerous challenges in organ procurement, optimasation and assessment. This state of the art webinar will cover techniques and technologies aimed to safely increase organ utilisation following a DCD pathway. Focus of the topic: Heart/Lungs Perfusion/TA NRP, EVLP and Heart HOPE.

    Chairs
    Marius Berman, United Kingdom
    Sandra Lindstedt, Sweden

    Panellists
    Sue Braithwaite, The Netherlands
    Louise Kenny, United Kingdom
    Eduardo Minambres, Spain
    Johan Nilsson, Sweden

    Scientific Programme

    Welcome and introduction Marius Berman, United Kingdom; Sandra Lindstedt, Sweden
    EVLP – HOPE Prolonged Hypothermia Sue Braithwaite, The Netherlands
    NIHP-HOPE – The Beginning - Johan Nilsson, Sweden
    NIHP-HOPE – DCD Hearts as a new option for Pediatrics -
    Louise Kenny, United Kingdom
    TANRP – What more evidence we need?

    Discussion and Q&A

    Participation is free but registration is required. REGISTER HERE.

    The Machine Perfusion series is kindly supported by:
    Bridge to Life | EBERS | Organ Recovery Systems | Organox | Xvivo

  • Tuesday, 22 May 2025 at 18:00 CEST

    Description

    This webinar will focus on two of the most promising advancements in liver transplantation: machine perfusion and normothermic regional perfusion (NRP). Attendees will learn how these cutting-edge preservation techniques are transforming the way donor livers are preserved, evaluated, and transplanted. The session will delve into the science behind these technologies, their impact on organ viability and graft function, and how they are improving transplant outcomes. By the end of the webinar, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how machine perfusion and NRP are shaping the future of liver transplantation and their potential to improve patient outcomes by enhancing graft preservation and expanding donor organ availability.

    Chairs
    Davide Ghinolfi, Italy
    Rebeca Sanabria Mateos, United Kingdom

    Panellists
    Carlo Ceresa, United Kingdom
    Puck Groen, The Netherlands
    Andrea Schlegel, United States

    Scientific Programme

    Welcome and introduction - Davide Ghinolfi, Italy and Rebeca Sanabria Mateos, United Kingdom

    The DCD I should not use: How to evaluate a liver graft during NRP - Carlo Ceresa, United Kingdom

    Sequential hypo and normothermic perfusion: basic mechanisms and clinical practice - Puck Groen, The Netherlands

    Hypothermic or normothermic machine perfusion: this is the question - Andrea Schlegel, United States

    Discussion and Q&A - All

    Participation is free but registration is required. REGISTER HERE.

    The Machine Perfusion series is kindly supported by:
    Bridge to Life | EBERS | Organ Recovery Systems | Organox | Xvivo

  • This series provides an overview of advancements in machine perfusion, supported by the latest evidence, and compares available options. It is designed for junior surgeons, basic scientists, and researchers to gain a solid foundation in the science behind machine perfusion and stay updated on recent developments.

    Participation is free but registration is required (link available soon).

    The Machine Perfusion series is kindly supported by:
    Bridge to Life | EBERS | Organ Recovery Systems | Organox | Xvivo

Pre-Congress Activities (In-person at the ExCel, London)

  • Saturday, 28 Jun, 14:30 - 18:30 local time

    An exclusive opportunity for emerging leaders and researchers to refresh their knowledge and present new strategies.

    Find out more

    Registration is mandatory, please tick the option during congress registration.

  • Saturday, 28 Jun, 12:00 - 17:00 local time

    A dedicated session for allied healthcare professionals to enhance their skills and collaborate to improve transplant care.

    Find out more

    Registration is mandatory, please tick the option during congress registration.

  • Saturday, 28 Jun, 12:00 - 17:00 local time

    The ESOT Patients’ Masterclass presents a unique opportunity to learn more about life with a transplant and to ask all the questions patients have always wanted to pose to medical experts and other transplant recipients. This masterclass will be hosted by Liz Schick and Jackie Leach Scully, both of whom have personal and professional experience in living with a transplant.

    Target Audience
    People with end-stage organ failure hoping for a transplant, Nurses, Doctors, Allied Healthcare Professionals involved in transplant care, patient advocates, patient organisations

    Workshop creators: 
    Liz Schick (United Kingdom)
    Jackie Leach Scully (Australia)

    Find out more

    Registration is mandatory, please tick the option during congress registration.

Education Workshops (In-person at the ExCel, London)

  • Tuesday, 10 June, 18:00 - 19:00 CEST
    Online


    This interactive workshop will focus on the transition of adolescents with chronic conditions from paediatric to adult healthcare. It will provide an evidence-based overview of transitional care, highlighting key barriers, facilitators, and outcomes from ongoing research.

    Participants will hear expert insights, including a presentation on the current state of transition care, and explore practical case studies, such as the La Paz University Hospital programme and the Stepstones Transition Programme. The session will conclude with an open discussion and Q&A to reflect on actionable strategies for improving transition practices.

    Key takeaways

    -Evidence and rationale behind structured transition programmes.
    - Challenges and enablers in implementing effective transitional care.
    - Insights from real-world initiatives and ongoing research.
    - Practical approaches to enhance transition outcomes.

    Programme
    Introduction
    Transition from paediatric to adult care: Are we nearly there yet?

    Transition education programme: How this is run in La Paz University Hospital (Madrid)

    The Stepstones transition programme, development, evaluation and implementation

    Discussion/Q&A

    Conclusion/Take home messages

    Registration link

  • Monday, 30 June, 08:00-09:00 BST
    ESOT Meetings Room

    The World Health Organization forecasts a global shortage of 10 million health workers by 2030, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This also affects the transplantation field in Europe, where recruitment and retention are challenging. In this workshop, experts will discuss the challenges and opportunities in transplantation, highlighting the vital role of education and mentorship in addressing workforce shortages. Key findings from a survey on European transplant centers will be shared, focusing on recruitment issues and healthcare professionals' motivations. Participants will engage in discussions to share experiences and develop innovative strategies for strengthening the transplant workforce.

    Target audience
    Transplant surgeons, physicians, and allied healthcare professionals.

    Chaired by Joe Brierleyand Joana Ferrer.

    Programme
    08:00 – 08:05 Introduction
    Joe Brierley, United Kingdom; Joana Ferrer, Spain

    08:05 – 08:20 Presentation of the survey results
    Georgios Papadakis, United Kingdom

    08:20 – 08:55 Panel's discussion of the main challenges, potential solutions to the problem and the next steps.
    Bojana Šimunov, Croatia
    Anna Forsberg, Sweden

    08:55 – 09:00 Take home messages and closing remarks
    Joe Brierley, United Kingdom; Joana Ferrer, Spain

  • Tuesday, 1 July, 08:00-09:00 BST
    ESOT Meetings Room

    This workshop will take a holistic approach to transplantation, recognising the unique challenges faced by both patients and healthcare professionals. It focuses on the emotional impacts of complications on clinicians and how these affect patient care and provider well-being. Participants will engage in discussions to develop strategies for creating a more supportive and empathetic transplant environment, enhancing patient outcomes and the resilience of the entire transplant team.

    Target Audience
    - Transplant surgeons, physicians, and allied healthcare professionals
    - Psychologists, social workers, and mental health professionals working in transplantation
    - Transplant coordinators

    Chaired by Amelia Hessheimer and Hannah Maple.

    Programme
    08:00 – 08:05 Introduction
    Amelia Hessheimer, Spain

    08:05 – 08:15 When things go wrong: Clinician perspective
    Robert Minnee, The Netherlands

    08:15 – 08:25 When things go wrong: How to support yourself and your colleagues.

    08:25 – 08:35 Equality, Fairness and Inclusion: Professional representation in transplant medicine & surgery in Europe.
    Liset Pengel, The Netherlands

    08:35 – 08:55 Discussion
    Amelia  Hessheimer, Spain; Hannah Maple, United Kingdom

    08:55 – 09:00 Conclusion and take-home messages
    Hannah Maple, United Kingdom

  • Tuesday, 1 July, 13:00-14:00 BST
    ESOT Meetings Room

    This workshop will explore the core principles of mentorship and its impact on both mentors and mentees. Participants will define effective mentorship, learn key strategies for building successful relationships, and address common challenges with practical solutions. The session will start with a talk on effective mentorship, followed by an interactive panel discussion. Attendees will gain insights into the mentoring journey and how to create supportive bonds that foster personal and professional growth, unlocking the potential for meaningful connections.

    Target audience
    - Early-career professionals and trainees seeking guidance and support in their careers.

    - Experienced clinicians and scientists looking to refine their mentoring skills.

    Chaired by Muhammad Khurram and Liset Pengel.

    Programme
    13:00 – 13:05 Welcome
    Muhammad Khurram, United Kingdom; Liset Pengel, The Netherlands

    13:05 – 13:20 Definitions of effective mentorship, approaches needed to foster successful mentoring and common challenges
    Ellen Boeren, United Kingdom

    13:20 – 13:55 Panel Discussion
    Ellen Boeren, United Kingdom; Raj Thuraisingham, United Kingdom; Bojana Šimunov, Croatia; Robert Minnee, The Netherlands; Stephen Knight, United Kingdom

    13:55 – 14:00 Launch of the 2026 ESOT Mentorship programme and closing remarks
    Muhammad Khurram, United Kingdom; Liset Pengel, The Netherlands

Congress Hands-On Sessions (In-person at the ExCel, London)

  • Details coming soon!

  • Details coming soon!

  • Monday, 3 June & Tuesday, 1 July, from 11:00 to 12:30 hrs

    In this course, the participants will be exposed to the basic concepts of machine perfusion and its usage in organ transplantation. For beginners, it provides a detailed survey of the available perfusion devices and methods so that the participants can learn and compare the different systems more systematically. 


    Why you should attend 
    With more and more organs being preserved and transported using machine perfusion, professionals must be aware of the existing technologies. 

    This course is considered a first step for the surgeons, technicians, and researchers willing to apply the machine perfusion in clinical or experimental settings. 


    What you will learn  
    - The basic concepts of machine perfusion and the importance of organ preservation. 
    - A general view of the existing machines that can be used for machine perfusion. 
    - Indirect contact with different perfusion systems during the group interactions. 
    - How to analyse and differentiate between the methods based on their appropriateness for particular tasks.

    The participants will be split into small groups and will be able to feel the real environment of each system. Expert facilitators will moderate the discussions and demonstrations to ensure the learning process is practical and fun. 

    Who should attend 
    This course  is particularly suitable for: 
    - Junior surgeons who want to gain a fundamental understanding of machine perfusion. 

    - Technicians who work with organs and are involved in preservation and transplant processes. 

    - Researchers investigating perfusion-based research and new developments. 

    Come and join us for this exclusive chance to improve your skills in machine perfusion, share experiences with other professionals and get real hands-on experience with the most common perfusion devices!

  • Monday, 3 June & Tuesday, 1 July, from 15:30 – 17:00

    Building on foundational knowledge, the Machine Perfusion Immersive Course offers an in-depth, hands-on experience for professionals who wish to expand their expertise in a particular perfusion device or technique. This course is intended for those who already possess some familiarity with machine perfusion but are seeking practical, device-specific training to enhance their clinical or research applications.

    Why attend
    As the organ preservation and transplantation field continues to evolve, many professionals strive to move beyond a generic overview and acquire focused, practical experience with advanced perfusion systems. This course provides the opportunity to work intensively with a device that participants have not yet used, helping them assess its potential suitability for implementation in their center.

    What you will learn
    - Under expert supervision, a detailed, hands-on experience with a new perfusion device.

    - Practical skills in assembling, initiating, and managing perfusion on a selected system.

    - A deeper understanding of technical considerations, troubleshooting, and optimisation for the device.

    - Insight into whether this technology could be integrated into participants’ clinical or research environments.

    Course format
    This is a highly interactive, hands-on training session in which participants are assigned to a specific perfusion device they are unfamiliar with. With guidance from expert facilitators, they will work step-by-step through assembly, initiation, and perfusion management, gaining firsthand experience with real-world applications. The small group format ensures direct engagement, individualised instruction, and a fully immersive learning experience.

    Who should attend
    This course is tailored for professionals with prior experience in perfusion who wish to expand their expertise in a different device, including:

    - Surgeons specialising in organ transplantation and preservation.

    - Perfusionists aiming to broaden their technical skill set with alternative perfusion systems.

    - Clinicians and researchers exploring the implementation of new perfusion technologies in their practice.

    Join this immersive, hands-on experience to gain confidence in a new perfusion device, refine your technical skills, and evaluate whether it could enhance organ preservation at your institution.

ESOT TV Studio - The Pulse of the Congress!

Located at the heart of ESOT Congress 2025 (ExCeL London), the ESOT TV Studio is your go-to space for exclusive insights, dynamic discussions, and daily wrap-ups. This is where we dive deep into the hottest topics of the congress and shine a spotlight on key initiatives. 

Join us for expert interviews, breaking highlights, and engaging activities, all designed to keep you at the forefront of the ESOT community.  

ESOT Legacy Project (28 June)

A community gathering open to the public to honour individuals who have excelled in transplantation.  Stay tuned for updates! 

About ESOT

The European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) was founded 40 years ago and is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in organ transplantation. Facilitating a wealth of international clinical trials and research collaborations over the years, ESOT remains committed to its mission to improve outcomes for patients with terminal organ disease by means of transplantation, organ regeneration and substitution. 

With a community of over 8,000 members from around the world, ESOT is an influential international organisation and the facilitator of the biennial ESOT Congress.

Visit the ESOT website →