ACS-COSECSA Women Scholars Program

There is a severe shortage of surgeons in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Current data indicate that there are only 0.5 surgeons for every 100,000 people. Although women make up more than 50 percent of the population, they represent only 7 percent of the surgical work force.

To help address this problem, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) have developed a scholarship program to support women in surgical residency, help them complete their training, and encourage other women in medicine to consider surgery as a profession.

• The program is open to senior female surgical residents enrolled is the COSECSA region
• The award should be used for educational expenses, including accreditation, fellowship examination, and five-year membership dues to COSECSA and ACS
• The scholarship will be administered by COSECSA

Each scholarship is worth $2,500 and would be administered through COSECSA. The number of awards will depend on quality of applications and available funds.

The application window is now closed. Applicants should include a personal statement indicating future goals, a current curriculum vitae, and a letter of support from their surgical training program director.

Completed applications should be sent to the COSECSA Scholarship Committee at scholarships@cosecsa.org and will be reviewed in conjunction with the Operation Giving Back Committee.

Contact OGB@facs.org with questions, and we encourage you to apply today!

This scholarship is supported by a generous donation from Pon Satitpunwaycha, MD, FACS; the American College of Surgeons Foundation; and the Association of Women Surgeons Foundation.