The UNC and Duke Chapters of the Association of Women Surgeons held the inaugural Southeast Exchange Conference on September 22, 2018, at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. The conference included a series of workshops and panels on topics aligned with the theme, “Breaking Down Barriers, Building Each Other Up.”
Dr. Melina Kibbe, Chair of the Department of Surgery at UNC, gave the keynote address for the event. “Despite her busy schedule Dr. Kibbe has been a very active role model for UNC medical students, both men, and women,” says Jihane Jadi, UNC Medical Candidate (2021) and Regional Representative, AWS National Medical Student Committee. “Through giving lectures, talking at meetings, and offering up her house for events she always finds the time inspire aspiring women surgeons. Every idea that I brought to her this year was met with an overflow of encouragement and support. Therefore, when it came time to choose a keynote speaker for the first AWS Southeast Regional Conference, she was the clear choice.”
Dr. Kibbe’s keynote address was titled “Women in Surgery 101: A Guide to Navigating the Surgical Profession”. She shared why she became a surgeon-scientist, the importance of and need for women in the field of surgery, challenges that many women face including work-life balance issues, pay and leadership discrepancies, and the benefits of mentorship.
UNC and Duke hosted over eighty attendees at various levels of training including students, residents, fellows, and faculty from medical institutions throughout the Southeast region, including Duke, UNC, ECU, Wake Forest, and Vanderbilt. There were multiple workshops pertinent to all different stages in a surgical career including contract negotiation, work-life integration, gender bias issues, and executive presence. The panelists include representation from diverse specialties, such as general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, surgical oncology, pediatric surgery, vascular surgery, and neurosurgery. There was a strong UNC showing that showcased panelists and facilitators that included Drs. Shannelle Campbell, Andrea Hayes-Jordan, Arielle Perez, Matthew Ewend, Kristalyn Gallagher, and Ugwuji Maduekwe as well as UNC Residents Drs. Stephanie Lumpkin, Joan Grudziak, and Catherine McDermott.
The AWS, founded in 1981, is a not-for-profit educational and professional organization committed to supporting women surgeons at various stages in their career – from medical school through retirement. They are working to provide their members with programs and services to engage, empower and help women excel in their careers.
The conference was attended by men and women. it was well received by all. “First, congrats to Jihane Jadi, Kelli Klinc, and the rest of the team for putting on a fantastic conference,” says Tony Asher. “Second, Dr. Kibbe’s keynote address was fantastic. Finally, I can’t thank all of you enough for welcoming us aspiring surgeons (who happen to be male) as allies and including us in the fight for equality in surgery and beyond. It was humbling to hear everyone’s experiences, receive advice, and to share a space with such inspiring people.”
Credit for the event needs to go to the members of the steering committee which consisted of 11 medical students from UNC and Duke: Jihane Jadi (UNC), Ashley Choi, Janine Baldino (UNC), Hannah Martin, Jacquelyn Dillon, Bryanna Stukes, Kristen Rhodin, Hanna Kemeny, Kelli Klinc (UNC), Rebecca Vernon, Neelima Panth, and Danielle Davari (UNC). To view photos from the event view our Facebook album by clicking here.
