Rachel Aquilina

Joint nomination between Anaiya Kaka and Rachel Aquilina. 

Having both played an integral role in the WinS committee this year, with Anaiya being a mentorship scheme coordinator and Rachel being a workshop coordinator, we’ve experienced first-hand the inspirational nature of the annual conference, and what it takes to organise and deliver such an empowering event. We also had the opportunity to represent WinS at INUGSc by leading a discussion panel on female representation in surgery. Coupled with our joint experiences in WinS, both of us have also contributed to the organisation of other conferences, workshops, and have held positions in various other societies.

Building on what we’ve learnt this year, we hope to continue to encourage aspiring female surgeons- providing them with resources, events, and mentors to offer an environment actively promoting the successes of female surgeons. We’re keen to organise more discussion panels, run a more structured mentorship scheme, and create more opportunities for shadowing. We also hope to widen the accessibility of our events to sixth formers, and to collaborate with other surgical society subdivisions to enhance inclusivity, and expand the WinS network. 

We are passionate to continue highlighting the issues currently facing women in surgery- looking past the boundaries of gender, and opening doors of empowerment. We hope that you will vote for us so that we can work to make surgery an equitable field, a place where women belong.