Dr Rahila Essani is a board-certified colorectal and general surgeon with over two decades of experience specializing in minimally invasive and robotic colorectal surgery. A national and internationally recognized leader, Dr Essani has refined and advanced techniques such as transanal and transvaginal specimen extraction, intracorporeal anastomosis, and natural orifice surgery.
She currently serves as Program Director at a Robotic Total Practice Observation Site, overseeing education and training in robotic colorectal surgery. Dr Essani is a sought-after speaker at premier surgical conferences including SAGES, ASCRS, and SRS, and was recently a co-chair of the 2024 NOSCAR Summit.
A passionate advocate for surgical education and mentorship, she is dedicated to expanding access to robotic training and fostering equitable proctorship pathways, particularly for women surgeons. Her research focuses on AI-assisted surgical coaching, enhanced recovery protocols, and simulation-based training.
Dr Essani is honored to join the faculty for RACS ASC 2026 and looks forward to engaging with the vibrant surgical community across Australia.
