Conference Planning Committee

This committee for 2027 is responsible for theme development of the AWS Annual Conference, to be held in San Diego,CA, as well as the conference program in terms of content, sessions, and speakers. A subcommittee is also responsible for the fundraising to support the conference.

Chair: Dr. Chantal Reyna

Career Development Committee 

The mission of the Career Development Committee is to provide and sponsor members of the AWS community for various career development and training opportunities and to highlight and promote their professional advancement. The committee develops the content and curricula for and selecting participants/awardees for career development, grant funding, and training opportunities. In addition, committee volunteers participate in reviewing applications and selecting participants/awardees of these opportunities.

The Career Development Committee is recruiting volunteers interested in supporting the research and career development of AWS members. Responsibilities will include screening and evaluating applications for a variety of awards and professional development opportunities, and developing the content and organizing career development activities. Members will be asked to complete bias training prior to reviewing applications. The Committee also welcomes those who have ideas for additional initiatives that AWS can support.

Chair: Dr. Nell Maloney Patel

Clinical Practice Committee

This committee focuses on assessing the needs of and developing resources to support and promote women in various types of surgical practice, including academic, private, rural, and military. While some challenges faced by women surgeons are nearly universal, we recognize that each type of practice has its own unique hurdles. This committee explores some of the challenges faced in each area and helps create lasting resources for members. Members of this committee come from all variations of practice, and hearing the perspectives and input is enlightening!

Learn more about the CPC and see their list of tools and resources.

Chair: Dr. Lisa Reid
Vice-Chair: Dr. Mary Maniscalco-Theberge

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee helps shape the voice and visibility of AWS by amplifying the achievements, expertise, and experiences of women surgeons. Through engaging content across social media and digital platforms, members help promote AWS, strengthen member engagement, and expand the organization’s reach year-round. The committee’s work is led through two primary subcommittees, Instagram and the AWS Blog, with opportunities to launch new initiatives such as podcasts, videos, and other creative projects. Open to members at all career stages, the committee offers meaningful opportunities to build communication, writing, publication, and leadership skills while connecting with colleagues and championing the mission of AWS.

Chair: Dr. Tiffany Sinclair

Editorial Committee 

The Editorial Committee has several primary goals:

• Publication of the annual AWS editions of AJS and American Surgeon - Members of the committee provide assistance to the editors by participating in the review process of manuscript submission.
• Execution of the Reviewer Academy - This program runs on an annual curriculum and helps foster the development of manuscript review skills for trainees and junior faculty using both a didactic and mentoring program.
• Serving as the preliminary reviewers to all AWS writing intended for external publication - Members of the committee provide timely internal reviews of all publications arising from the publications committee and other sources, which may be submitted to AJS or to other outside journals, depending on topic and scope.

Membership requirements include committee meeting attendance (at least 50%), serving as an AJS reviewer, American Surgeon reviewer, and internal AWS reviewer, and active involvement in any ongoing projects.

Chairs: Drs. Amelia Maiga and Lauren Nosanov

Medical Student Committee

Composed of medical students, this committee works on student programs, including, but not limited to, resource development, mentorship opportunities, and research initiatives. Please note: committee members must be members of AWS and serve from May to May. Applications for this committee are sent out to the membership and posted on the AWS website.

Chair: Colby Mallett

The Medical Student Committee is scheduled to meet on the third Sunday of each month at 12 PM Eastern.

Member Services Committee

This committee contributes to and participates in initiatives designed to support membership recruitment, retention, and engagement. Areas of work include, but are not limited to: institutional membership engagement, regional membership development, mentor/ambassador program engagement, and general recruitment and retention outreach. This is an active and engaged committee that is eager to grow in numbers and ideas. We welcome committee members with diverse backgrounds of practice, training, geography, and more.

Chair: Dr. Deepika Koganti

Outreach Committee

The Outreach Committee expands the national and international reach of AWS by developing strategic partnerships with surgical societies, specialty and subspecialty organizations, academic institutions, professional organizations, and industry partners. Serving as a bridge between AWS and the broader surgical community, the committee identifies opportunities to create meaningful intersectional pathways for leadership, mentorship, professional development, and advocacy. The committee aims to advance the AWS mission while increasing opportunities for women and historically underrepresented groups in surgery. Working with liaisons from partner organizations, including the Association of Academic Surgeons, the Association of Out Surgeons & Allies, the Latino Surgical Society, the Society of Asian Academic Surgeons, and the Society of Black Academic Surgeons, the committee develops initiatives that leverage shared expertise and resources. Additionally, the Outreach Committee collaborates with AWS leaders to ensure external engagement aligns with organizational priorities and creates tangible benefits for AWS members.

Chair: Dr. Shannon Small
Vice-Chair: Dr. Kristina Lemon

Publications Committee

The Publications Committee has a main goal of identifying and producing research and publication opportunities relevant to the organization. This represents an opportunity for all members to learn and grow in scholarly paper production. The committee produces an AWS Annual Report, and is responsible for updates to AWS publications such as the Pocket Mentor and Career Resource Guides. Members may also produce publications that are relevant to the AWS mission and are approved by the executive committee for individual publications, with the preferred venue being AJS. Such materials are reviewed by the editorial committee before submission to any journal. Committee meeting attendance of at least 50% of meetings and active involvement in ongoing projects is required for committee members.

Chair: Dr. Maria Altieri

Resident and Fellows Committee

The AWS Resident and Fellow Committee is focused on addressing surgical trainee programs and issues, with an emphasis on engaging residents and fellows in the AWS at an early stage in their careers. Committee members work closely with many of the other additional AWS committees, with a significant level of interaction with the Medical Student committee.

Chair: Dr. Nensi Ruzgar

For any questions regarding committee involvement, please contact [email protected].