Resilience – acta non verba. This motto of the DCK 2027 stands for far more than the resilience of our profession that is so often called for. We must not only cope with upheavals in health policy and societal crises, but also actively shape them so that we emerge from them stronger. In this context, resilience also means responsibly guiding processes of change, helping to develop new structures, and consistently upholding our core values—quality, patient safety, and medical responsibility. We must not merely comment on reforms; we must actively shape them with our professional expertise and our shared commitment. As a surgical professional association with well over 20,000 members, we bear responsibility for this and, at the same time, possess the expertise and strength to help shape these developments constructively and with a clear stance.

I am particularly pleased that the 2027 DGCH Annual Congress will be held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV) and the German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery (DGKJCH), as well as the spring meeting of the German Society for Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery (DGPRÄC). Together with the Professional Association of German Surgeons (BDC) and representatives from nursing and emergency medical services, we are creating a congress that focuses on interdisciplinary exchange. This close collaboration across disciplinary and professional boundaries makes the DCK an important platform for the further development of our field.

Especially in this era of increasing specialization, the DCK’s particular strength lies in interdisciplinary dialogue. Interdisciplinary meetings and joint events with our partner disciplines—anesthesiology and critical care medicine, as well as internal medicine and pathology—create the space to collaboratively advance key topics in our field. These include perioperative medicine, critical care and emergency medicine, and surgical research, as well as professional policy issues—such as minimum staffing levels and the working conditions of young surgeons.

At the same time, DCK 2027 will maintain a firm focus on the future. Technological developments such as robotics and artificial intelligence will play a central role in the scientific program. Other key areas of focus include oncological surgery and transplant surgery—fields currently characterized by extraordinary momentum in both pharmacological and surgical innovation. In light of global political uncertainties, topics such as crisis management, defense preparedness, civil security, and capacity bottlenecks will also be discussed. With the Bundeswehr’s renewed participation in DCK 2027, we also aim to highlight that it is an integral part of the healthcare and supply system as well as our society.

The future and continued development of our field lie in the hands of the next generation of medical professionals. That is why the education, training, and support of our next generation of surgeons—including students—are among our most important tasks. It is our shared goal to inspire young colleagues to pursue a career in surgery, to support them on their professional journey, and to offer them reliable career prospects. Accordingly, the promotion of young talent will be a special focus of the congress.

The tried-and-true supporting program will also provide opportunities for networking and personal interaction. I look forward to welcoming you to the traditional DGCH Organ Donation Run and the social evening at the Augustinerkeller in Munich. These events will enrich the DCK 2027 in Munich in a special way and provide an opportunity to engage in conversation with one another beyond the scientific sessions.

As in previous years, the main conference will once again be preceded by DCK.digital (April 13–15, 2027). This format offers early-career researchers, in particular, the opportunity to present current research findings to a broad audience, engage in scholarly discussion, and build new networks.

In 2027, we will welcome a special guest country: Italy. International scientific exchange has enriched our conference for many years and opened up new perspectives for research, teaching, and clinical collaboration. I am therefore all the more delighted to welcome numerous colleagues from Italy—both online and in person in Munich.

I am very pleased to welcome you in person to Munich, together with my team and the presidents of the DGCH member societies. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a stimulating conference experience filled with exciting scientific discussions, new insights, and many valuable encounters.

With warm regards from our colleagues,
Jens Werner

Prof. Jens Werner, M.D., MBA
President of the German Society for Surgery 2026/2027
Director of the Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery,
LMU, University of Munich