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Applications for the next AWS Surgical Mentorship Program series are due August 30, 2025.

 

Are you a medical student who is interested in surgery and seeking guidance? Are you a resident, fellow, or surgeon who enjoys working with students and would like to serve as a mentor?

The AWS Surgical Mentorship Program is a 6-month structured program in which medical student mentees will be paired 1:1 with surgeon mentors. The program consists of monthly large-group mentoring and networking events and regular mentee-mentor meetings.

          Application Deadline: August 30, 2025
          Decision notification: Sept 24, 2025
          Program Start: November 5, 2025

The overall mission of AWS is “to inspire, encourage, and enable women surgeons to realize their professional and personal goals.” A key part of this mission is promoting the professional and personal development of trainees interested in surgery, and as such this voluntary mentorship-program aims to (1) facilitate access to surgeon mentors for female medical students interested in surgery and (2) provide a safe space to discuss topics ranging from career development to family planning. The program will run for 6 months (November 2025 to April 2026). All accepted participants will meet once a month for organized virtual panel discussions on the following topics:

    • How to find and get the most out of a mentor-mentee relationship (November 5, 2025 - 5pm PST/7pm CST/ 8pm EST)
    • How to prepare for residency MATCH and evaluate which program is right for you (December 10, 2025 - 5pm PST/7pm CST/ 8pm EST)
    • Surgical Careers in Surgical Education, Rural, Community, Private, Military, and other practices (January 14, 2026 - 5pm PST/7pm CST/ 8pm EST)
    • How to network at conferences and find other opportunities for networking (February 11, 2026 - 5pm PST/7pm CST/ 8pm EST)
    • How to pursue research in medical school and as a surgeon scientist (March 11, 2026 - 5pm PST/7pm CST/ 8pm EST) 
    • Balancing Family and Career (April 8, 2026 - 5pm PST/7pm CST/ 8pm EST)

 

The panelists will be comprised of surgeons from various training levels, backgrounds, and perspectives, which we hope will provide you with a wholistic perspective on the field of surgery. In addition, you will be paired with a surgeon mentor, with whom you will meet with one-on-one at least twice during the 6-month period. These meetings are an opportunity for you to get more personalized advice/guidance on areas that matter most to you. 

NOTE: This program is NOT intended to connect students with research mentors, and we are only accepting students currently attending US-medical schools due to logistical challenges. The AWS National Medical Student committee is planning other resources and events tailored specifically towards the needs of foreign medical school students.

** If you are an IMG student interested in applying to residency programs in the US, please join our e-newsletter list to stay up to date about upcoming programs related to your goals.**

Applications for the 2025 AWS Surgical Mentorship Program are due by August 30, 2026. 

 

APPLY HERE to be a Mentee

 

APPLY HERE to be a Mentor