Committee on Global Engagement Updates

In 2025, ACS Health Outreach Program for Equity in Global Surgery (ACS H.O.P.E.®) welcomed 19 new members across the ACS Committee on Global Engagement, which is composed of four subcommittees—Advocacy, Domestic, Education, and International—along with the Executive Committee.

The new leadership includes:

• Committee Chair: Raphael Lee, MD, PhD, FACS
• Committee Vice Chair: Sandra Freiwald, MD, FACS
• Advocacy Subcommittee Chair: Rondi Kauffmann, MD, FACS
• Advocacy Subcommittee Vice-Chair: Samer Sbayi, MD, FACS
• Domestic Subcommittee Chair: Theresa Chin, MD, FACS
• Domestic Subcommittee Vice-Chair: Jessica Minesinger, BA, FACMPE
• Education Subcommittee Chair: Tamara Worlton, MD, FACS
• Education Subcommittee Vice-Chair: Jennifer Rickard, MD, FACS
• International Subcommittee Chair: Melanie Sion, MD, FACS
• International Subcommittee Vice-Chair: Andrea Pusic, MD, FACS

A special thank you to all our outgoing leaders and committee members for their dedication and contributions. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and engaging with you in the many initiatives that ACS H.O.P.E. is driving forward.

If you are interested in joining one of the subcommittees, the call for committee membership will take place in June 2026.

Advocacy Subcommittee

In fall 2025, the Advocacy Subcommittee reinforced the importance of bidirectional learning in global health through thought leadership and advocacy. The subcommittee authored a viewpoint article in the ACS Bulletin, “Bidirectional Training Promotes Equity, Supports Global Health,” published in October 2025, examining how reciprocal training programs between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries can strengthen health systems, promote equity, and foster innovation. The article also addressed persistent barriers to participation, including visa restrictions, and underscored the need for policy solutions that support ethical and sustainable global engagement.

Domestic Subcommittee

The Domestic Subcommittee updated the Free Access Clinic Registry, an open-access resource available on the ACS H.O.P.E. web pages on facs.org. The registry connects surgeons with community-based clinics across the US that provide no- or low-cost surgical and perioperative care. This initiative supports volunteerism and local outreach by helping ACS members identify opportunities to assist underserved populations within their state or region.

ACS members who volunteer at, or are affiliated with, clinics offering these services are encouraged to register their clinic to expand the reach of this resource and strengthen access to care nationwide.

Education Subcommittee

The Education Subcommittee looks forward to launching the inaugural Global Health in Surgery Certificate Program in January 2026. Interest in the program has been strong, with ACS H.O.P.E. receiving more than 150 applications. The inaugural cohort will include 34 participants, reflecting a commitment to high-quality engagement and meaningful learning experiences.

The application cycle for the 2027 program will open this fall. Additional details and announcements will be shared in advance. Thank you for your continued interest and commitment to advancing excellence and equity in surgical education.

Women Scholars Are Shaping Future of Surgery in Africa

The 2025 ACS–College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) Women Scholars represent a remarkable cohort of emerging surgical leaders from across sub-Saharan Africa. Supported jointly by the ACS Foundation and the Association of Women Surgeons Foundation, these scholars received funding to sit for their COSECSA Fellowship examinations in December 2025 in Bujumbura, Burundi. Each of these exceptional women exemplifies the shared mission of the ACS and COSECSA—to strengthen surgical capacity, expand access to care, and advance gender equity in the surgical profession. Through their skill, leadership, and commitment to service, they are shaping the future of surgery in Africa and inspiring the next generation of women in medicine.

Anita Kawira Gitundu, MD 

Anita Gitundu, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. Passionate about improving access to quality, timely, and affordable surgical care in low-resource settings, she is committed to addressing the critical shortage of qualified surgeons in Africa, particularly the underrepresentation of women in orthopaedics. Dr. Gitundu has worked extensively in resource-limited facilities, witnessing firsthand the impact of delayed or inadequate orthopaedic care, and aspires to serve in such environments after completing her training. She is dedicated to mentoring and inspiring future generations of female surgeons, breaking stereotypes, and advancing gender equity in surgical professions. 

Saada Issa Timamy, MBChB

Saada Timamy, MBChB, is a general surgeon at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya. As the first female chief resident at her institution in 2024, she has led and mentored junior trainees, organized educational programs, and advocated for improved surgical training systems. Driven by a passion to overcome cultural and religious barriers, Dr. Timamy is committed to increasing female representation in surgery and inspiring future generations of women to pursue leadership roles in the field. Balancing the demands of surgical training with motherhood to three young children, she exemplifies resilience and dedication, aiming to transform surgical care in sub-Saharan Africa and serve as a role model for aspiring female surgeons. 

Misozi Miti, MD 

Misozi Miti, MD, is the first female neurosurgeon in Zambia, having completed specialist training under the Zambia College of Medicine and Surgery in 2023. Passionate about advancing surgical care and increasing female representation in the field, Dr. Miti aims to enhance her skills through continued training and mentorship. Her mission is to inspire and guide young women and men pursuing careers in neurosurgery and other surgical specialties, contributing to the growth of surgical expertise in Zambia. 

Eyerusalem Bergene Banti, MD

Eyerusalem Bergene Banti, MD, is one of only six female neurosurgeons in Ethiopia and a recent graduate committed to advancing neurosurgical care across the region. A top performer throughout her academic journey—from achieving the highest score on her national high school exam to graduating first in her medical school and neurosurgery residency—she exemplifies excellence and perseverance. Passionate about neurotrauma, pediatric neurosurgery, and neuro-oncology, Dr. Banti serves patients in both public hospitals and private clinics while actively promoting research, education, and mentorship. She has led initiatives such as Ethiopia’s first school screening programs for spinal deformities and training programs for medical professionals, and she advocates for gender equity through the Women in Medicine Leadership Fellowship by Operation Smile. Through her clinical work, leadership, and outreach, she strives to make specialized neurosurgical care accessible and inspire future generations of women in medicine. 

Majda Hassan Mohamed, MD 

Majda Hassan, MD, is a general surgeon from Kenya, specializing in minimally invasive surgery. Passionate about the innovation and precision of these techniques, she is committed to improving surgical outcomes and reducing patient recovery times. As one of only two female residents at her training center—where there are currently just two qualified female surgeons—Dr. Hassan strives to inspire more women to join the field. Her goal is to advance her expertise in minimally invasive procedures while serving as a mentor and leader, contributing to a more inclusive and skilled surgical workforce across Africa

Sharon Ngonyo Kiriro, MD 

Sharon Ngonyo Kiriro, MD, is a general surgeon at Nyeri County Referral Hospital in Central Kenya, where she has spent nearly a decade serving in public healthcare. Committed to improving access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care for marginalized populations, she has organized surgical camps that reduced elective surgery backlogs and provided care to underserved patients. As chief resident for 3 years, Dr. Kiriro honed her leadership skills while advocating for equitable healthcare delivery. Her clinical experience and research on upper gastrointestinal malignancies have sparked a passion for advancing surgical oncology and shaping evidence-based policies to improve outcomes in rural communities. She aspires to continue serving in resource-limited settings and lead initiatives that strengthen surgical capacity across Kenya.

Bezawit Teferi Tsegaye, MD

Bezawit Teferi Tsegaye, MD, is an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. She completed her undergraduate and residency training at Black Lion Hospital, Ethiopia’s oldest and largest orthopaedic program. Specializing in orthopaedic trauma, she was one of only two female residents among 70 trainees—a journey that strengthened her resilience, surgical expertise, and leadership skills. Passionate about improving trauma care in Africa, Dr. Tsegaye has worked in Ethiopia and observed systems in Tanzania and Malawi, deepening her commitment to regional collaboration to address the devastating impact of road traffic injuries on young populations. Her vision is to advance orthopaedic practice and foster partnerships that enhance surgical capacity and outcomes across the continent

Rose Machuma Malaba, MD

Rose Machuma Malaba, MD, is a general surgery trainee committed to serving marginalized communities in Kenya’s rural Kisii and Homa Bay regions. With a strong passion for equitable healthcare, she plans to provide surgical services across government and mission hospitals, embodying COSECSA’s mission to deliver quality care in resource-limited settings. Dr. Malaba aims to enhance her expertise through short courses (e.g., endoscopy), continuing medical education, and active participation in annual conferences. Her long-term vision includes conducting research on surgical cases in low-resource environments, sharing evidence-based practices, and contributing to knowledge that improves patient outcomes. Through her clinical work and advocacy, she strives to strengthen surgical capacity and inspire future generations of women in surgery.