Applications are now open for Ireland’s PROGRESS Women in Surgery Fellowship.

Aimed at promoting female participation in surgical training in Ireland, this prestigious bursary, funded by Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies*, will give women surgeons the opportunity to gain exceptional experience and exposure to their chosen field, supporting their progression to consultant.

RCSI published the ‘PROGRESS: Promoting Gender Equality in Surgery’ report in 2017, identifying the complex barriers to female progression in surgery. The report highlighted a need to inform and encourage female medical students considering a career in surgery; build a culture that supports female surgical trainees; consider the needs of trainees who are parents; and ensure that the professional development opportunities support and enable a diverse profession.

The report specifically called for the provision of fellowship for women surgeons to inspire exceptional trainees by providing the opportunity to avail of career-defining international fellowship training.

Ms Ailín Rogers, FRCSI, was announced as the recipient of the first PROGRESS Women in Surgery Fellowship in February. This year, Ms Rogers will commence a fellowship at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London in robotic colorectal surgery and multivisceral resection for advanced pelvic malignancy.

RCSI President Professor Ronan O’Connell said: “RCSI is delighted to announce the call for the second ‘Women in Surgery Fellowship’ in Ireland. The Fellowship signifies RCSI’s ongoing commitment to supporting candidates in advancing their careers, while also addressing the barriers that are preventing women from progressing further in surgery, as clearly outlined in the PROGRESS report.”

Patrizio Fatale, Country Manager of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices in Ireland, said: “At Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, we are passionate about developing diverse workforces, nurturing female talent and ultimately educating individuals to ensure the best quality of care for patients. We are pleased to once again to be funding this prestigious fellowship and enable this opportunity for a female surgical trainee to gain invaluable clinical, research, education and management experience that RCSI offers as part of this fellowship programme.”

The successful candidate will be awarded a Fellowship up to an amount of €45,000 for each year for a maximum of two years and the RCSI PROGRESS Fellowship Medal.
The closing date for applications is Monday, 2 November 2020. Further information is available here.

*Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies is funding the fellowship through an educational grant and will not be involved in the selection of candidates for the fellowship.