Surgical Society: Women in Surgery Chair

As attendees of previous Women in Surgery Conferences, we understand how empowering this event is for females who are aspiring surgeons. By running for co-chairs we are committed to encourage women to pursue this career, and provide widespread opportunities to explore the profession and its challenges. 

We seek to broaden the prospects available in the Conference, from making it CME accredited, to offering more research and mentoring aspects. As research is a vital part of the surgical application, we aim to support attendees in getting involved in research through talks and workshops from experts in their fields. Also, as mentors are valuable points of support, we plan to extend the Speed Mentoring portion of the Conference, and arrange a networking session after the Conference. In these more casual settings, we hope attendees can interact with surgeons, and have the chance to establish long-term mentoring relationships that they can utilise throughout their careers.

Beyond the Conference, we are keen to maintain engagement by hosting informal teaching events where students can learn more about life as a woman in surgery. Through a social and relaxed environment, we hope to prompt discussion around diverse topics such as starting a family, battling stigma, and mental health.

It would be an honour to use this position to provide a space to connect attendees and women in surgery, and to reassure those interested in the career that it is well within their capabilities.

I was part of the WinS sub-committee last year and I really enjoyed helping in organising the conference. It was a joy working in a team that had a goal of making surgery more accessible to a wider range of people and inspiring the next generation of surgeons. I hope to be able to continue this legacy and provide a space where medical students can pick up practical tips and advice to help them persue their aspirations.

I’m so excited to be running for the WINS Chair this year! Attending the WINS conference as a fresher, amidst the doubts and uncertainties of pursuing a demanding field like surgery, left me with a newfound optimism. 

Being the Finance and Sponsorship Officer, and other society committee roles, has illustrated the boundless dedication and responsibility required to organise such an inspirational event. So, I'm thrilled to bring my expertise and enthusiasm to creating a space that empowers female-identifying, aspiring surgeons. 

My key focusses: What am I committed to doing?

• LISTENING - How can WINS be more useful and accessible? I want to hear what you have to say!
• NEW “WINS Accelerate” programme - Revamping the WINS mentorship scheme with a series of networking events and talks on starting a career in surgery (e.g. CST portfolio/bursary application advice). Also, of course, an opportunity to get involved with research, audits, and shadowing from current surgeons!
• The Annual UCL WINS Conference - Building on the success of the past 4 years, I aim to enhance the conference by adding more discussion panels and workshops - including ones focussed on microsurgery and innovation. I would love to hear what you want from the next conference as well!

Education, representation, and mentorship have the power to transform careers. So, as your Women in Surgery Chair, I'm ready to listen, learn, and take initiative to make UCL's surgical community more inclusive and empowering.

Joint nomination between Polina Zabelina and Lara Melloul.

This year we both took on the roles of workshop coordinators in the WinS committee. We thoroughly enjoyed the work that we have done so far and greatly appreciated the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. Our responsibilities within WinS ranged from sourcing the equipment for the workshops to liaising with speakers, whose talks we led and from whom we learnt a great deal. Through working closely together, we realised that we make a great team, and, as co-chairs, we aim to replicate that positive dynamic within the future committee. 

Our goals for next year:

• Continue engaging with surgeons from diverse backgrounds through talks, events, workshops, mentoring, and shadowing to equip aspiring female surgeons with the resources they need to succeed.

• Create an inclusive and welcoming environment where students can meet like-minded peers through mixers and networking events. 

• Introduce medical students to inspirational female figures in surgery through monthly social media posts. 

• Organise a follow-up surgical skills workshop building on the experience the delegates gained during the conference.

• Collaborate with other surgical society subcommittees to deliver talks and events, aiming to expand WinS network. 

We hope to get your vote, so we can work on making surgery a more equitable field and empower the future generation of surgeons to pursue their goals.