Expanding Our Horizons
Surgeons Making an Impact Around the World
The Association of Women Surgeons Foundation is pleased to launch "Expanding Our Horizons" a new series dedicated to highlighting inspiring women surgeons engaged in important global health initiatives.
Sherry M. Wren, MD FACS FCS(ECSA)
Professor of Surgery
Stanford University
How do you see yourself fitting into the global surgical community?
I have had several roles in the global surgical community. I initially worked in conflict zones for Doctors Without Borders. This experience and the required scope of practice led to developing a hands-on surgical education course to help train surgeons from high-resource areas in the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques to work in low-resource zones. It also made me question why it was necessary to fly a surgeon from California to DR Congo; shouldn't there be local surgeons who could do the work? I became involved in educational partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa, joining the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa to help develop a surgical workforce in the geographically large region. I have worked with COSESCA as a council member on many initiatives, including fellowship exams, research, and the inclusion of women in surgery training programs. Seeing so many new surgeons training and graduating in the region has been a joy. I also have an active research program on Humanitarian Surgical Responses in Conflict Zones. I have met, mentored, and worked with so many people over the years, it has enriched my life significantly. My newest chapter is as the Editor in Chief of the World Journal of Surgery where I am actively doing author outreach to regions not as represented in surgical publishing.
What goal(s) are you working toward?
- Increasing surgeons in low resourced areas with a special emphasis on attracting women into the profession
- Developing a mortality calculator that could be used in humanitarian conflict responses as a tool for quality assessment and mortality prediction.
- Trying to understand why women are missing as surgical patients, outside of reproductive care issues, in many lower resourced areas.
What is your biggest challenge in reaching your goal?
Funding and data!
How can women surgeons play a role in the solution?
Women and men can be a part of the solution. We need people to serve as mentors, sponsors, and understand the path and challenges for people to become surgeons in these regions.
What impact have AWS and AWSF had on your surgical career?
AWS and its members have been mentors, sponsors, friends, and co-conspirators on my professional journey. Lifelong friendships with incredible people have brought joy into my life.
Gifty Kwakye, MD MPH
Arthur W Fleming M.D. Research Professor; Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery; Assistant Dean for Clinical Medical Education, University of Michigan
How do you see yourself fitting into the global surgical community?
As a “Surgical Educator Without Borders”, I see myself as a bridge, a translator, and a connector within the global surgical community. Having been born and raised in Ghana but trained entirely in the U.S., I have the privilege of understanding two beautiful yet complex cultures. This unique perspective allows me to navigate and integrate different surgical approaches, fostering collaboration, education, and mentorship across borders to advance equitable colorectal care.
What goal(s) are you working toward?
I am working toward building sustainable colorectal care in Ghana through education, mentorship, and capacity building. I am also passionate about advancing mentorship frameworks that support trainees, particularly women in surgery, to foster a more inclusive and diverse global surgical workforce.
What is your biggest challenge in reaching your goal?
Systemic barriers, particularly financial constraints and resource limitations, make sustainability efforts challenging. Out-of-pocket payments for care place a significant burden on patients, and the lack of long-term funding models for training and infrastructure hinders the ability to build lasting surgical programs. Creating solutions that are both impactful and financially sustainable remains a key challenge.
How can women surgeons play a role in the solution?
Women surgeons can play a critical role by mentoring and sponsoring trainees and actively participating in global surgery initiatives. I personally know firsthand the importance of representation —there’s nothing more powerful than walking into a room, looking across the room and seeing someone who looks like you! When trainees see women leading and excelling in surgery, it shifts perceptions and opens doors for the next generation.
What impact has AWS and AWSF had on your surgical career?
AWS has provided a network of mentorship, sponsorship, and collaboration that has shaped my career in profound ways. One of the most meaningful relationships has been with Dr. Ann Lowry, who has mentored me since my fellowship and continues to be a trusted advisor and partner in my work to build colorectal surgery capacity in Ghana. Her guidance has reinforced the power of mentorship—not only in shaping individual careers but also in driving sustainable change in global surgery. Through AWS, I have experienced the full circle of mentorship, now advising and partnering with others to advance surgical education and access.
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