Visiting Professorships

Advancing Excellence, Diversity, and Representation in Surgery

The Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) and the AWS Foundation (AWSF) are proud to offer a variety of Visiting Professorship programs in partnership with leading organizations. These initiatives support AWSF's mission to advance women’s careers in surgery and address gender disparities worldwide. Visiting Professorships enable surgeons to share their expertise, inspire the next generation, and promote diversity within the field of surgery. Through grand rounds, lectures, and meaningful interactions at host institutions, these professorships align with the AWS mission to inspire, encourage, and enable women surgeons to achieve their professional and personal goals.

Collaborative Visiting Professor Programs

AWS is thrilled to partner with leading surgical organizations to present annual Visiting Professor Programs. The goals of collaborative visiting professorships include: heighten the visibility of all surgeons; provide the invited speakers with the opportunity to be positive role models for medical students and trainees; and support the host institutions in identifying and sponsoring invited speakers.

Partner Organizations:

Association of Out Surgeons and Allies (AOSA)
Latino Surgical Society (LSS)
Society of Asian Academic Surgeons (SAAS) - separate application required
Society of Black Academic Surgeons (SBAS)

Visiting Professor Eligibility:

Faculty members at the Assistant or Associate Professor level
Within the first 10 years of their faculty appointment
Active members of AWS and sponsoring partner organization

Applications are due on Wednesday, December 16, 2026.

Submit Application

AWSF Kim Ephgrave Visiting Professor Program

The AWSF Kim Ephgrave Visiting Professor Program provides an established surgeon the opportunity to be a positive role model for women in surgery. This visiting professor shares their professional and personal experiences with department chairs, faculty, residents, and students at a select host institution through grand rounds, walk rounds, lectures, research presentations and more.

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.