Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery (PWRS): A Transformative Journey at Stanford

October 14, 2024

Stanford Plastic Surgery recently hosted eight women surgeons from the Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery (PWRS) program. PWRS is a collaborative effort between non-profit ReSurge International and skincare company SkinCeuticals. The program is committed to advancing the careers of first-generation female reconstructive surgeons in low-income countries. 

The 2024 PWRS cohort included: Dr. Thandiwe Munaiwa from Zimbabwe, focusing on breast, hand, and aesthetic surgery; Dr. Lucy Haregu from Ethiopia, specializing in craniofacial surgery; Dr. Vidhi Mehta from India, with expertise in breast, hand, microsurgery, craniofacial, and aesthetic surgery; Dr. Kamana Thapa from Nepal, focusing on microsurgery and burn care; Dr. Angela Penedo from Mozambique, specializing in microsurgery and burn care; Dr. Hellina Legesse from Ethiopia, with a focus on breast, burn, and aesthetic surgery; Dr. Trang Le from Vietnam, specializing in craniofacial surgery; and Dr. Waruguru Wanjau from Kenya, with a focus on craniofacial and ortho-plastic surgery.

“It has been eye opening experience observing plastic and reconstructive care in one of the best centers in the US. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of it,” said PWRS 2024 participant Dr. Hellina Legesse. 

Led by Laub Fellow and Stanford Plastic Surgery Resident Dr. Meewon Park, the surgeons participated in Grand Rounds, anatomy dissections, and clinical observations at Stanford University Medical Center and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. These sessions offered hands-on learning and exposure to cutting-edge techniques in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Park shared, "As this year's Donald Laub Fellow, I’ve had the greatest privilege of working with the brilliant women of the PWRS program—reconstructive surgeons whose tireless efforts are changing the lives of millions of patients across the globe. The impact of this program reaches far beyond each surgery performed. It is shaping the future of reconstructive surgery by nurturing and empowering the next generation of surgeons who will carry forward their legacy and vision. It is an honor to witness how this program is transforming both patient care and the landscape of plastic surgery for generations to come.”

On October 1, 2024 each PWRS surgeon had the chance to present a case from their home country during a special Grand Rounds session. The audience, which included Stanford faculty and residents, engaged in thoughtful discussions.

ReSurge International was founded by the late Dr. Donald Laub and Division Chief Dr. James Chang serves as Consulting Medical Officer. For more information about the PWRS program, visit ReSurge International’s website, social media (X, Instagram, Facebook),  and watch the award winning documentary, "A Place at the Operating Table," to learn more.