January 2025 Mentor Spotlight

MENTOR SPOTLIGHT: Stacey Darwish

Ms. Stacey Darwish (MBChB, FRCS) is a Consultant Spine Surgeon based in the National Spine Injuries Unit (NSIU @nsiuresearchgroup), Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, and Mater Private Network in Dublin, Ireland. She was awarded an MBChB from the University of Glasgow and continued her medical training by earning her FRCS in Trauma and Orthopaedics from the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh. She then furthered her training and expertise by embarking on fellowships in both paediatric & adult deformity (Scottish National Deformity Service, Edinburgh) and complex adult spine surgery (National Spine Injuries Unit, Dublin), focusing on evolving technologies including navigation and robotics. As both a nationally and internationally renowned researcher, Ms. Darwish is currently interested in research topics revolving around trauma, frailty, and evolving surgical technology. Most recently she was integral in the commencement of mixed reality navigation in Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

Ms. Darwish is actively involved with the European Spine Society as a member of the Education committee, and tutors in the post-graduate CHM in Trauma & Orthopaedics degree through the University of Edinburgh. She is also the Irish representative for the European Spine Registry through Eurospine.

1. How did you discover your interest in orthopaedics, and more specifically, in spine surgery?

I always wanted to be a surgeon, that was why I studied medicine. I came to orthopaedics after qualifying and being the intern for the orthopaedic ward and enjoyed the fact that this specialty makes a real difference to patients quality of life. I developed my love of spine surgery as an SHO (Senior House Officer) and still remember my first ACDF (Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion) - seeing dura for the first time! I was working with a consultant who taught me how to put in a pedicle screw and really sparked my interest in the specialty.

2. What obstacles did you encounter in your surgical training and how did you overcome them?

Thankfully very few, orthopaedics is a competitive specialty and not everyone will get onto training schemes first time round. I had already moved from Scotland to Northern Ireland to pursue training at a core surgical level and then did proceed to higher surgical training there but not on the first try!

3. Are there any pros/cons to your specialty that you know now that you wish you were aware of before choosing spine surgery?

No, I chose spine surgery as an SHO and was lucky to have great exposure during my training so felt I knew what I was letting myself in for. It’s a technically challenging, highly demanding, but exceptionally rewarding specialty and that’s what attracted me to it but equally some of that might scare some others away from spine surgery.

4. What are some of the changes you've seen in surgical culture in the past decade?

The biggest changes that I’ve seen have been very positive - the evolving technologies are very exciting and it’s amazing how far we have come from freehand screw placement being the normal to now using mixed reality. Secondly, I would say the camaraderie that now exists between orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine surgeons, we are no longer two separate specialties, rather, we are united in moving spinal care forward.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring female surgeons?

If you want it, go out and get it! Medicine is hard, surgery is hard, it’s all worth it in the end, but only you can do the work. Whether that is in attending theatres, finding a mentor, working on research. Don’t just stand on the side-line, I love having students and junior doctors in the clinic or theatre but come in and say hi, when we know you are there and want to be there we will have you scrubbed in observing and seeing cases in the clinics. Gender doesn’t matter to most people, we are far more interested in your abilities and interests than your chromosomal make up so don’t be put off because of stereotypical specialties.

6. What advice would you give to medical students wanting to pursue a career in orthopaedics and/or spine surgery?

See above! Also never be afraid to change your mind, choosing a subspecialty in medical school is early and you will still be exposed to many other teams and rotations - you may find something you love more so don’t feel that just because you said you want a certain specialty earlier that you can’t change your mind. Your work takes up a huge part of your life so you have to love it!

7. What are your future career goals and where do you want to go from here?

I am keen to progress my academic interests further. I didn’t do a lot of research early in my career but now really enjoy it and am keen to further that. I have also been involved in committees for several Spine Societies and would be keen to expand my roles there. As well as obviously continuing to push forward with the new technologies clinically as they come on board.

8. What advice do you have for maintaining a work-life balance as an academic surgeon?

It’s essential to maintain a balance and to have hobbies. We always think of hobbies as having to be big commitments - playing for a sporting team, etc. When actually for most of us, it’s about making time regularly to do something non-medical you love - be that going for a run or entertaining friends. I always like to have a trip planned as something to look forward to and try to have time off regularly. That can be as simple as a weekend off with no work - reviewing a paper/ checking emails/completing an assessment, etc., can wait from Friday to Monday occasionally!

9. What is your favorite aspect of your career?

The surgery! I’m very lucky in many ways but I love my job, I’m happy to go to work and I love being in theatre. I enjoy performing the surgeries but also teaching them. I wouldn’t do anything else!

About the Mentee Interviewer: Aubrie Sowa

Headshot of Ms. Sowa

Aubrie Sowa, MS, is a current fourth-year medical student at University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland and is currently the AWS European Regional Representative. Aubrie was born a Navy brat in Connecticut and moved around the US while growing up. She spent most of her life in Florida, eventually pursuing a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology (with a minor in psychology) and an MS in Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. Aubrie then moved to Dublin, Ireland in 2021 to pursue her medical degree.

Aubrie has a profound dedication to pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery and academic medicine. She has an extensive background in orthopedic spine research where she has presented at both national and international conferences and earned numerous publications. She has also demonstrated a strong commitment to mentorship and leadership through her many roles focused on orthopaedics and advocating for more women to pursue careers in surgery. Outside of medicine, Aubrie enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Dakota and Delilah, exploring new countries/cultures, cooking new cuisines, and tending to her garden.

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