ECCO 2023 will be the eighteenth instalment of the annual conference for medical students at the University of Otago/ Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou. Our theme for 2023 is ‘SOAR: reaching new heights’. We chose this theme to empower our medical tauira and takuta to break the glass ceiling. To overcome the barriers in place which hinder our potential. Our conference will give students the opportunity to learn from world class health professional working in the community and get some hand on experience in our practical workshops. Our aim is to encourage and empower people to continue pushing the boundaries and constraints to ensure equitable health outcomes for all.