Agenda

FEBRUARY 6

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WIS 2026 Agenda
*Agenda Subject to Change

Title:

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Discussion Q&A

Parallel

Location: Pelican

2026020614:3016:30 005

FRI, FEB 6

1A5B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
283373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

FELLOWS & ATTENDINGS (AWS): Difficult Conversations and Negotiation

Intro and Setting the Stage
Keys for Critical Conversations
Keys for Negotiations
Panel Discussion
Discussion Q&A

Parallel

Location: Pelican

2026020614:3016:30 004

FRI, FEB 6

1A5B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
283373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM EST

SESSION D: FELLOWS & ATTENDINGS (AWS)

Career Progression and Advancing to Leadership (If You Want)
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM	Branding
11:20 AM - 11:50 AM	Creating Your Elevator Pitch
11:50 AM - 12:00 PM	Discussion Q&A
12:00 PM - 12:20 PM	Paths to Leadership
12:20 PM - 12:40 PM	Academic Promotion
12:40 PM - 1:00 PM	Do I Need Another Degree
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM	How Coaching Can Help
1:20 PM - 1:40 PM	Perils and Pitfalls of Advancement and Leadership
1:40 PM - 2:00 PM	Discussion Q&A

Workshop

Location: Pelican

2026020611:0014:00 004

FRI, FEB 6

1A5B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
223373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM EST

Poster Session

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020617:0018:30 000

FRI, FEB 6

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 8:00 AM - 8:20 AM EST

Opening Keynote

2025 Reality Check: Navigating our current environment: over scheduled, compensation challenges, the pressure to do more, and uncertainty of DEI impact

Plenary

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020708:0008:20 000

SAT, FEB 7

263373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 8:20 AM - 9:20 AM EST

PLENARY 1: Overcoming Headwinds: Strategies for Career Sustainability and Avoiding Burnout

Core Idea:
Across generations, women in Surgery have developed diverse strategies for achieving success and maintaining wellbeing. By learning from each other’s experiences, from baby boomers to gen x and beyond, we can identify best practice that helps sustain successful careers

Key Points:

Navigating the surgical career lifecycle
Understanding generational realities
Defining paths to success
Recognizing barriers that impact women
Prioritizing self- care

Plenary

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020708:2009:20 000

SAT, FEB 7

263373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM EST

PLENARY 2: Mentorship and Sponsorship Across Generations

Core Idea:
PROGRESS HAPPENS WHEN WOMEN LIFT EACH OTHER UP, across generations. Vulnerability, preparation, and accountability make mentorship real and impactful.

Key points:

Responsibility of senior leaders
Accountability of emerging leaders
The value of two-way mentorship
Allies are just as essential

Plenary

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020709:2010:20 000

SAT, FEB 7

263373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM EST

PLENARY 3: Balancing Career, Family and Timing

Core Idea:

Numerous reviews highlight that women surgeons face significant challenges around being pregnant, taking leave, asking for a flexible work schedule, and meeting physical/workload demands.

Key Points:

Pregnancy and motherhood during training and in practice
Is the schedule flexible?
Physical and occupational demands
Being the only single surgeon in practice
Is it possible to have it all?

Plenary

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020710:4011:40 000

SAT, FEB 7

263373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM EST

PLENARY 4: Leadership and Vulnerability

Core Idea:
Explore the challenges of sustaining leadership roles, balancing authority

with authenticity and using vulnerability as a tool for resilience.

Key Points:

Pressures of maintaining the leadership role
Managing expectations from peers and administration.
Navigating visibility, criticism, and imposter feelings.
Need for continued mentorship and new skill development
Strategies for wellness and sustainability

Plenary

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020711:4012:40 000

SAT, FEB 7

263373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 1:40 PM - 2:00 PM EST

Guest Keynote

Plenary

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020713:4014:00 000

SAT, FEB 7

263373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

PLENARY 5: Women Leading Innovation: Shaping the Culture of Surgery

Core Idea:

Women must have a seat at the innovation table to ensure the future of Surgery reflects diverse perspectives and meets the needs of all our patients. By driving change, humanizing technology, and promoting inclusion in the design process, women surgeons are redefining what progress looks like in healthcare.

Key Points:

Unique role of women in Surgical innovation
Humanizing medical technology
Expanding access through Telesurgery and remote care
Championing Inclusive design

Plenary

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020714:0015:00 000

SAT, FEB 7

263373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST

PLENARY 6: Women Surgeons and the Power of Data: Shaping the Future of AI, Machine Learning, and the Use of Big Data

Core Idea:
As data driven medicine transforms surgical practice, women surgeons play a vital role in ensuring these technologies are equitable, ethical, and clinically meaningful. Women in Surgery be at the table guiding how AI and big data will reshape patient care, research, and surgical innovation.

Key points:

Evolving importance of women in data driven surgery
Harnessing AI and ML for better outcomes
Bias watchouts in surgical data
Translating insights in action to improve patient care

Plenary

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020715:0016:00 000

SAT, FEB 7

263373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

PLENARY 7: The Value of a Global WIS Community

Core Idea:
Around the world, women in surgery are natural innovators and problem-solvers. Our impact is the greatest when we build a borderless community around us to lean on for support, encouragement, connection, and celebration.

Key points:

Why international representation matters
Showing up authentically makes a difference
Women empowering women
Bringing our whole selves and cultures to the workplace.
Shared challenges lead to shared solutions.
Community creates a global ripple.

Plenary

Location: Dunes I-III

2026020716:0017:00 000

SAT, FEB 7

263373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM EST

Exhibits

Location: Dunes Foyer

2026020610:0021:00 000

FRI, FEB 6

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST

Break with Exhibitors / Networking

Location: Dunes Foyer

2026020614:0014:30 000

FRI, FEB 6

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 10:20 AM - 10:40 AM EST

Break with Exhibitors / Networking

Location: Dunes Foyer

2026020710:2010:40 000

SAT, FEB 7

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM EST

Break with Exhibitors / Networking

Location: Dunes Foyer

2026020616:3017:00 000

FRI, FEB 6

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM EST

Registration & Information

Location: Dunes Foyer

2026020610:0018:30 000

FRI, FEB 6

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST

Registration & Information

Location: Dunes Foyer

2026020707:0017:00 000

SAT, FEB 7

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM EST

SESSION E: PAs & ARNPs

Expanding Surgical Excellence: Advanced Practice, Teamwork, and Leadership
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM	Welcome and Introduction Redefining Surgical Teamwork: The Power of Advanced Practice Women Opening remarks Overview of symposium goals
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM	Practice Evolution and Professional Identity Beyond Assisting: Advancing the Role of PAs and ARNPs in Surgery Expanding scope of practice Autonomy vs. collaboration Credentialing
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM	Workload, Wellbeing, and Retention Sustaining Excellence Without Exhaustion Rising workload intensity Negotiating boundaries Strategies for resilience
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM	Technology, Innovation, and Upskilling Robotics, AI, and the Augmented Provider Training opportunities in robotics and perioperative analytics
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM	Leadership, Equity, and Advocacy From the OR to the Boardroom: Women Leading Surgical Transformation Navigating gender bias Advocacy for pay equity Building visibility

Workshop

Location: Heron

2026020611:0014:00 005

FRI, FEB 6

1C5B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
223373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

PRE MED STUDENTS: From Aspirations to Acceptance: The Pre-Med Pathway

Building Your Application

Mastering the MCAT – Evidence-based strategies for success
Building a Competitive Application – Balancing academics and volunteering
Research and Shadowing – Gaining meaningful experiences
Socioeconomic Barriers in Medicine – Overcoming challenges

Personal Growth

Confidence Building and Managing Imposter Syndrome
Mentorship Matters – How to reach out and find guidance
Early Advocacy – Engaging in gender equity and community health
Q&A Panel – All Faculty

Parallel

Location: Dunes I-II

2026020614:3016:30 001

FRI, FEB 6

145B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
283373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM EST

SESSION A: PRE-MED STUDENTS

Becoming the Next Generation: Purpose, Resilience, and Innovation in Surgery
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM	Why Women in Surgery Matter Opening remarks by leading women surgeons Brief history of women’s milestones in surgical fields Encouragement to own ambition early
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM	Defining the Path The Road to Medical School: Competition, Cost, and Confidence Preparing strong applications Managing rejection Imposter syndrome
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM	Mastering Mindset and Wellness Resilience Without Exhaustion: Learning to Thrive, Not Just Survive Mental-health strategies Building sustainable habits
12:45 PM - 1:15 PM	Technology, Innovation, and the Future of Surgery Medicine Meets Machines: Preparing for the Digital Operating Room Transforming surgery though: AI Robotics Digital imaging
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM	Leadership, Equity, and Representation Lifting as We Climb: Building Inclusive Pathways Gender gaps in leadership Importance of mentorship

Workshop

Location: Dunes I-II

2026020611:0014:00 001

FRI, FEB 6

145B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
223373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM EST

Welcome Reception

Location: Dunes IV-V

2026020618:3021:00 000

FRI, FEB 6

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

RESIDENT & FELLOWS: Building Blocks to Success After Surgical Training

Leadership and Sustainability

Leading Under Pressure – Confidence in high-stress settings
Financial Wellness – Managing debt and planning for the future
Recognizing Burnout – Protecting your mental and physical health

Career Advancement and Advocacy

Navigating Bias and Inequality – Advocating for fairness
Transitioning to Fellowship – Preparing for the next chapter
Collaborating with NPs and PAs – Strengthening partnerships
Q&A Panel – All Faculty

Parallel

Location: Dunes IV-V

2026020614:3016:30 003

FRI, FEB 6

185B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
283373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM EST

Breakfast

Location: Dunes IV-V

2026020707:0008:30 000

SAT, FEB 7

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 12:40 PM - 1:40 PM EST

Networking Lunch

Location: Dunes IV-V

2026020712:4013:40 000

SAT, FEB 7

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM EST

SESION C: RESIDENTS & FELLOWS

*Leading from the Middle: Teams, Feedback & Advocacy*
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM	The Trainee as Surgical Leader Owning your leadership role and setting the stage for practical skills in the workshop Defining your professional identity as you transition from learner to leader
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM	Master High-Stakes Communication The Calm in the Chaos: Mastering OR Communication Interactive drills on crisis communication (closed-loop, read-backs) and developing playbooks for effective Resident-APP huddles Strategies for building collaboration and trust within diverse surgical teams
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM	Navigate Difficult Conversations & Feedback Feedback That Sticks: A Guide to Difficult Conversations A hands-on lab using role-play scenarios to master giving and receiving actionable feedback and de-escalating conflict Frameworks for addressing and navigating bias and inequality within your training environment
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM	Build Your Financial and Personal Resilience The Surgeon's Wealth & Wellness Playbook A rapid-fire mini-bootcamp on contracts, benefits, and debt, paired with practical strategies for burnout prevention and setting boundaries. Techniques for maintaining work-life balance and protecting personal relationships during demanding training years
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM	Architect Your Career & Shape OR Culture Building Your Legacy: Mentorship, Allyship & Your Next Move A strategic workshop on building a "Mentor Lattice" (multi-mentor network) and a roundtable on "He for She" allyship

Workshop

Location: Dunes IV-V

2026020611:0014:00 003

FRI, FEB 6

185B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
223373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

MEDICAL STUDENTS: Excelling in the Medical School Journey

Professional and Personal Wellness

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome – Building confidence
Mental Health in Medicine – Recognizing early signs of burnout
Professional Etiquette in the OR – Communication and respect
Social Media in Medicine – The do’s and dont’s

Academic Growth and Allyship

Research and Publication – Building academic credibility
AI in Medical Education – Using digital tools for smarter studying
He for She in Surgery – Male allies supporting women
Q&A Panel – All Faculty

Parallel

Location: Dunes III

2026020614:3016:30 002

FRI, FEB 6

165B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
283373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Friday, Feb 06, 2026

Friday, Feb 06, 2026 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM EST

SESSION B: MEDICAL STUDENTS

Shaping the Surgical Future: Skill, Balance, and Belonging
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM	Owning Your Narrative in Modern Surgery Overview of the evolution of women in surgical careers Defining confidence, visibility, and professional authenticity Encouraging purpose-driven career planning
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Building Your Academic Profile From the Lab to the OR: Finding Research Before Residency Strategies for identifying and securing meaningful research opportunities Leveraging technology and AI to stand out
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM	The Residency Interview Lab Acing the Interview: Interactive Mock Interviews A hands-on, interactive session with faculty providing real-time feedback on mock interview performance
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM	Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Wellness Women Lifting Women: Turning Mentorship into Opportunity Distinguishing mentorship from sponsorship Practical strategies for networking and self-advocacy
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM	Equity & Belonging in the OR Building Cultures Where Women Thrive Addressing bias and micro-inequities in surgical environments Closing reflections: “What kind of surgeon do you want to become?”

Workshop

Location: Dunes III

2026020611:0014:00 002

FRI, FEB 6

165B12F7-5FB3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA
223373D1-60B3-F011-810B-D679B2EFE6FA

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026

Saturday, Feb 07, 2026 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM EST

Exhibits

Location:

2026020707:0014:00 000

SAT, FEB 7