The Kim Ephgrave Visiting Professor Program
This program provides academic institutions with the opportunity to host leading women surgeons as speakers. Opportunities to lecture heighten the visibility of women surgeons while inspiring surgical residents and encouraging women medical students to pursue similar careers. In addition, the Dr. Kim Ephgrave Visiting Professor Program promotes dialogue between practicing surgeons and the academic community. The program was recently named in memory of Dr. Kim Ephgrave who served in the AWS Leadership from 1997 – 2002 and as AWS President in 2000/2001.
Announcing the 2026 Visiting Professor - Dr. Gayle DiLalla
 Dr. DiLalla is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Duke University. She currently serves as Duke Department of Surgery Vice-Chair of Opportunity and Engagement. She is a member of the Duke Cancer Institute, where she cares for patients with breast cancer and high-risk breast lesions. She is the Chief of Breast Surgery Clinical Operations for Wake County. She has served at the Chair of the AWS Member Services Committee and member of the AWS Council. She is a graduate of the AWS Shining Star Leadership Coaching, and is a current member of the AWSF Board. She obtained a Strategic Diversity Leadership Certificate from Cornell University in 2023. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri -Kansas City 6 year BA/MD program and obtained her residency training in surgery at the University of Florida -Jacksonville.
Dr. DiLalla provides lectures in the following topic areas:
- Career Progression in Surgery: Examining Opportunity, Mentorship, and Advancement
- Professionalism in Surgery and the value of a Cultural Complications Curriculum
- Women Surgeons – Advancements, Opportunities, and Why Engagement Matters
- De-Escalation of Low-Value Care in Breast Surgery
Host the Next AWSF Visiting Professor
Applications are now open! Submit by April 15, 2026.
Preference is given to those institutions with a high number of women trainees and a significant minority of women surgeons in the department. Both community and university training programs are encouraged to apply. The Chair of the Department of Surgery or surgery residency Program Director must complete this application. The AWS Foundation (AWSF) will provide a stipend to help cover travel and accommodation expenses for the Visiting Professor. The host institution will be expected to provide an honorarium to the Visiting Professor.
Host-Site Responsibilities:
• The Host Department of Surgery will sponsor this program and arrange for a two-day site visit.
• Provide opportunities for interaction between the visiting professor and local women surgical faculty, residents, and students. (Options include: reception, breakfast, luncheon, grand rounds, and surgery.)
• Arrange the specific details of the visit directly with the Visiting Professor.
• Arrange appropriate privileges and legalities if operative procedures involving the Visiting Professor are planned.
• Submit a follow-up report to AWS Foundation detailing your experiences with the Visiting Professor and this AWS Foundation Program.
The AWS Foundation will provide a stipend to assist with covering travel and accommodation expenses for the Visiting Professor. The host institution will be expected to provide an honorarium to the Visiting Professor. Please see a sample itinerary here.
|
