We are excited to announce a new strategic partnership between the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and IRCAD North America that will significantly expand hands-on, experiential education opportunities for the surgical oncology community.
Through this partnership, IRCAD North America will serve as SSO’s headquarters for Advanced Experiential Education Training and Medical Device Rapid Cycle Research and Development. Beginning in 2027, SSO plans to offer advanced, hands-on courses at IRCAD North America’s state-of-the-art training and innovation facility in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Introducing SSO’s IRCAD Physician Leadership
We are also pleased to announce the appointment of two surgical oncologists who will provide leadership for SSO’s educational and innovation initiatives at IRCAD North America.
Melissa Hogg, MD – SSO IRCAD Program Director 
Dr. Hogg, a surgical oncologist at Endeavor Health, brings expertise in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery, surgical education, and innovation. As Program Director, she will provide strategic leadership and oversight of SSO’s experiential education portfolio, including courses offered at IRCAD North America. Working with SSO’s Education and Innovation Committee, she will help identify new educational opportunities, guide program growth, and ensure hands-on training addresses member needs across disease sites and complements SSO’s broader educational offerings.
Patricio Polanco, MD – SSO IRCAD Scientific Director
As Scientific Director, Dr. Polanco will provide physician leadership for innovation, emerging technologies, and research and development initiatives associated with SSO’s partnership with IRCAD North America. He will help identify opportunities for SSO members to participate in the development and evaluation of emerging surgical technologies, particularly through the IRCAD North America Excubator. Working with SSO’s Education and Innovation Committee, he will help assess how these advances can inform future educational programming.
Together, Drs. Hogg and Polanco will help advance SSO’s experiential education and innovation initiatives, connecting high-quality hands-on training with emerging technologies to prepare surgical oncologists for the future of cancer care.
Additional information about our 2027 courses, including faculty, eligibility, and registration, will be shared as programming is finalized.
We look forward to this exciting next chapter in SSO education and to creating new opportunities for our members to learn, innovate, and advance surgical oncology.