Prof Modise Koto

Professor Modise Zach Koto
Head of Department of Surgery at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University;
Chief Specialist at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital

Prof Koto is Head of Department of Surgery at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University and Chief Specialist at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. He is a leader in minimally invasive surgery and pioneered its application in advanced trauma surgery in South Africa.

An internationally acclaimed surgeon, Prof Koto was elected as CMSA President for the 2025 – 2028 triennium by the 24th Senate of The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). He was also inducted into the prestigious Academy of Master Surgeons Educators by the American College of Surgeons in September 2024. This is an honorary distinction that recognizes surgeon educators who have devoted their careers to surgical education and are considered premier leaders in their respective fields. Prof Koto was also awarded the Clinical Excellence Award of the Clinix Health Group in 2019, its Global Excellence Award in 2024, and has received recognition by the National Research Foundation (NRF) as a C3 rated researcher. In 2017 Prof Koto was awarded the SASSiT Swann-Morton Silver Scalpel Award which recognizes excellence in leadership, professionalism, communication and commitment to training and development.

In addition to a Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of the CMSA, Prof Koto was awarded its sub-specialist Certificate in Surgical Gastroenterology(CMSA) by peer review and has been an invaluable member of the CMSA leadership team since his election as a Senator in 2014.  In 2017, Prof Koto was elected as President of the College of Surgeons of the CMSA and was re-elected to the position in 2020. In 2022 he was elected Senior Vice-President of the CMSA.