Sustaining the Surgeon
The 2026 AWS Foundation theme, Sustaining the Surgeon, reflects the Foundation’s commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where women surgeons can thrive throughout every stage of their careers. This theme highlights the people, organizations, and tools that help sustain surgeons, not only by addressing challenges but also by fostering resilience, inclusion, and allyship within the surgical community. Through monthly spotlights, the Foundation will feature stories from women surgeons who have been supported by mentors, colleagues, allies, and organizations that helped them anticipate obstacles, navigate setbacks, and continue growing professionally. By celebrating these partnerships, Sustaining the Surgeon underscores that advancing women in surgery is a shared responsibility, and that when support systems are strong, the entire profession benefits.
Margaret Dunn
MD, MBA, FACS
Dean and Professor Emerita of Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine
What does a truly inclusive and supportive surgical environment look like to you?
Where the personal characteristics of a surgeon are irrelevant to assessment of their performance or support of their practice of surgery.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in surgery, and which tools or relationships helped you navigate them?
Isolation, underestimation, undercompensation and overwork. What habits, routines, or mindsets help you maintain your well‑being as a surgeon? Most recently, the active practice of gratitude has been the most helpful.
Is there a resource (e.g., AWS/AWSF programs, wellness tools, community groups) that has had a meaningful impact on your career trajectory?
The network of colleagues that AWS provide.
How do you hope to contribute to sustaining future generations of women surgeons?
I have tried to encourage, advise and mentor the generations of women in surgery that have and will follow me into surgery, just as the women before me supported my life as a surgeon.
What impact has AWS and AWSF had on your surgical career?
The network of support, advice and friendship that AWS provided me has been critical to my success in medicine and surgery.
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