Association of Women Surgeons

The Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) was founded in 1981 as a means for women surgeons to come together and address the challenges faced by women in surgery. The organization aims “to inspire, encourage, and enable women surgeons to realize their professional and personal goals.”

Downstate’s chapter of AWS provides tools for aspiring surgeons such as suture clinics and networking dinners with female surgeons. AWS is open to all students who are interested in discussing the unique obstacles women face in the surgical field, and who would like resources and mentorship in their journey to becoming surgeons