Association of Women Surgeons
Student Organizations Athens
Our Mission
The mission of the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) is to inspire, encourage, and enable women surgeons to achieve their personal and professional goals. The AWS chapter at OUHCOM Athens not only advocates but also facilitates the success of aspiring women surgeons by: Promoting professional growth and development Providing and enhancing networking and mentorship opportunities within surgical community Encouraging participation by all surgeons, trainees, and medical students regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation Fostering an environment supportive of personal values and individual diversity in order to adequately serve all communities and achieve health equity Advancing the highest standards of competence and ethical behavior
Officers, 2026-2027
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Sabreena Ighneim |
| Vice President | Chase Ray |
| Treasurer | Ci Lee |
| Secretary | Ina Tolin |
| Advisor | Katie Markesbery, D.O. |
Dues: $20 annually
Services Provided
The Association of Women Surgeons serves the college and osteopathic community by providing mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities for students interested in surgery. We also offer hands-on learning experiences such as suture clinics and other pre-surgical skill-building events to support clinical growth outside the classroom. In addition, the organization fosters discussion around challenges in surgery and engages in community outreach and service-oriented activities to promote awareness and access to healthcare.
Tentative Schedule for 2026-2027
The Association of Women Surgeons plans to host events throughout the academic year focused on surgical exposure, mentorship, and skill development.
- Recurring 鈥淪urgery Mondays鈥 will feature talks and Q&A sessions with surgeons including Dr. Katherine Marksberry, Dr. Jillian Sinopoli, Dr. Milena Fabrey, Dr. Margaret Dunn, Dr. Meagan Costedio, and potentially Dr. Jane Dopkins, among others.
- We also plan to hold hands-on suture clinics, scrub-in practice sessions, and a potential opportunity to scrub in with a physician to gain real-world surgical exposure.
- Additional programming may include a fourth-year medical student panel, anatomy lab dissection/surgical skills sessions with Dr. Porter
- Development of a local shadowing and mentorship network with Athens-area physicians.
- Collaborate with organizations such as ACOS, Med Mentors, and OBGYN interest groups on joint events.
*Funding for events will primarily come from student organization allocations and supplemented through small fundraising efforts such as bake sales and merchandise sales (e.g., pins, stickers, badge reels, and similar items), depending on approval and feasibility.