Global Voices In Plastic Surgery

Breaking barriers is only part of the journey—lasting progress comes from creating opportunities for the women who follow.

Women in plastic surgery face different cultural expectations, institutional barriers, and opportunities for advancement across the world. While representation continues to improve, meaningful progress requires greater access to mentorship, leadership positions, and professional networks that support women throughout their careers.

Dr. Sara Calabrese is joined by Dr. Eva Ciolo, a plastic surgeon practicing in Johannesburg, South Africa, for a conversation about the challenges and triumphs of women in plastic surgery. Drawing on her experiences navigating a traditionally male-dominated specialty and building an international professional network, Dr. Ciolo reflects on overcoming barriers, pursuing leadership opportunities, and finding support throughout her career. They also explore the importance of institutional flexibility, balancing professional and personal priorities, and using international collaboration to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of women surgeons.

Topics Discussed

• Cultural and structural barriers for women in surgery
• Gender representation and leadership opportunities
• Overcoming professional challenges and self-doubt
• Mentorship, sponsorship, and professional networks
• Balancing surgical careers and personal priorities
• International collaboration and career development
• Creating opportunities for future women surgeons

Key Takeaways

• Representation is only the beginning. Meaningful progress requires opportunities for women to influence leadership, education, and professional decision-making.
• Mentorship and sponsorship create opportunities. Supportive relationships can expand professional networks, strengthen confidence, and open doors to career advancement.
• International collaboration strengthens the specialty. Sharing experiences across healthcare systems can reveal new approaches to professional development and institutional support.
• Success extends beyond individual achievements. Supporting colleagues and creating opportunities for future generations helps build a more inclusive profession.
• Build a career that reflects your priorities. Professional ambition, personal well-being, and meaningful relationships can coexist with thoughtful planning and support.

The strongest mentorship does more than offer advice—it builds confidence, opens doors, and helps the next generation find their place in surgery.

Dr. Stefania de Fazio is joined by Brianda Mendoza, MD. for a conversation about the role mentorship has played throughout her career, from training in a new country to establishing herself in plastic surgery. Dr. Mendoza reflects on the women who demonstrated that she belonged in the operating room and explains how trust, honest feedback, and continuity transform mentorship from occasional guidance into a meaningful professional relationship. 

The conversation expands beyond traditional mentorship to explore sponsorship, peer support, and the power of women creating opportunities for one another. From recommending a colleague for a leadership role to sharing a podium, paper, or professional connection, they discuss practical ways surgeons can strengthen networks and build a community where women support one another through career decisions, complications, and life beyond the operating room.  

Topics Discussed

• The impact of mentorship on confidence and career development
• Building meaningful mentor relationships
• Overcoming barriers for women in surgery
• Mentorship versus sponsorship
• Expanding professional networks and leadership opportunities
• Peer mentorship and community
• Creating opportunities for the next generation

Key Takeaways

• Meaningful mentorship requires trust, honesty, and continuity. The strongest relationships create space for candid questions, constructive feedback, and long-term growth.
• Mentors can actively open doors. Recommendations, introductions, speaking opportunities, and collaborations can help mentees become more visible.
• Peer mentorship matters too. Colleagues at similar career stages can provide valuable perspective, support, and shared experience.
• Build a network of mentors. Different people can provide guidance on surgical technique, career strategy, personal priorities, and professional development.
• Support should continue forward. As surgeons advance, they can intentionally create opportunities for those coming behind.

Becoming an independent surgeon isn't about having every answer—it's about knowing your abilities, recognizing your limits, and asking for help when you need it.

Dr. Alessandra Ceccaroni is joined by Isabel Dovale, MD. to explore the transition from residency to independent practice and the decisions that shape the early years of a surgical career. They discuss building confidence in the operating room, recognizing the difference between discomfort and an unsafe situation, choosing a practice environment, and determining what kind of surgeon and career you want to build. 

The conversation also addresses negotiating for professional needs, responding when decisions are questioned, managing complications, and developing relationships with mentors and sponsors. Dr. Dovale encourages young surgeons to approach their careers with patience—building skills, reputation, and leadership experience over time while creating space for life beyond surgery. 

Topics Discussed

• Transitioning from residency to independent practice
• Building confidence and knowing when to ask for help
• Choosing the right career and practice environment
• Advocating for your professional needs
• Managing complications and difficult outcomes
• Mentorship and sponsorship
• Balancing career ambitions with personal priorities
• Maintaining passion and avoiding burnout 

Key Takeaways

• Confidence starts with self-awareness. Know what you can do safely and when additional guidance is needed.
• You don't need your entire career figured out immediately. Your interests, practice, and priorities can evolve over time.
• Mentorship should continue throughout your career. Trusted colleagues can provide perspective when complications and challenges arise.
• Advocate for what you need. Clear, respectful communication can help you navigate resources, opportunities, and workplace challenges.
• There is no finish line. Build a fulfilling career at a sustainable pace while making room for the rest of your life.  

A strong professional brand is not about self-promotion—it is about making your expertise, values, and contributions visible.

Dr. Miriam Vicente Ruiz is joined by Aenone Harper-Machin, MD to explore how women in medicine can build an authentic professional identity and become more intentional about how they are recognized within their specialty. They discuss communicating accomplishments without diminishing them, identifying what you want to be known for, increasing professional visibility, and pursuing leadership opportunities before you feel completely ready. 

The conversation also examines the importance of mentorship and sponsorship, building meaningful professional relationships, advocating for other women, and giving yourself permission to be ambitious. Together, they offer practical strategies for developing influence while remaining authentic, approachable, and grounded in the values that shape your work.  

Topics Discussed

• Building an authentic professional brand
• Communicating expertise and accomplishments
• Increasing visibility and professional influence
• Identifying what you want to be known for
• Pursuing leadership opportunities with confidence
• Mentorship versus sponsorship
• Building professional relationships and networks
• Creating opportunities for other women

Key Takeaways

• Your brand is your professional reputation. Build it around consistent values, expertise, and meaningful contributions.
• Visibility matters. Excellent work cannot create new opportunities if others do not know about it.
• Don't wait until you feel completely ready. Speak up, apply, volunteer, and pursue opportunities that align with your goals.
• Mentors advise; sponsors advocate. Both relationships can play important roles in career advancement.
• Leadership and authenticity can coexist. Ambition does not require sacrificing kindness, humility, or approachability.

Leadership in plastic surgery is built not only through technical excellence, but through mentorship, resilience, connection, and the confidence to create your own path.

Matilde Tettamanzi, MD is joined by Anna De Leo, MD for a candid conversation about building a career as a woman in plastic surgery. Drawing on more than two decades in the specialty and international training and practice, Dr. De Leo reflects on overcoming assumptions about women surgeons, developing her own leadership style, finding mentors, navigating self-doubt, and building a professional identity centered on both surgical excellence and patient connection. 

Their conversation explores the experiences that shaped her career and the lessons she hopes to pass to the next generation—from seeking opportunities beyond traditional pathways and building an international network to prioritizing well-being, learning from complications, and creating opportunities for other surgeons to succeed.  

Topics Discussed

• Breaking barriers as a woman in plastic surgery
• Developing an authentic leadership style
• Mentorship and professional support
• Managing self-doubt and complications
• Building confidence and professional identity
• Value of international training and networking
• Supporting the next generation of surgeons
• Prioritizing personal well-being 

Key Takeaways

• Leadership can take different forms. Empathy, communication, and attention to patients can be important leadership strengths.
• Mentorship creates opportunities for growth. Trusted mentors and professional networks can provide guidance through both challenges and career decisions.
• Setbacks can become opportunities to improve. Evaluating complications alongside successes can strengthen both confidence and practice.
• Look beyond the traditional career path. International experiences, multidisciplinary relationships, and continued learning can broaden professional opportunities.
• Invest in yourself as well as your career. Protecting time for personal well-being can support a sustainable surgical career. 

Highlighting how ASPS global initiatives empower aesthetic surgeons through education, collaboration and resources that advance professional development and patient care worldwide.

Host: Pei Yu Edward Tung, MD
Guest: Luis Gerardo Sandoval-Ortiz, MD

Examining aesthetic surgery cases and practical insights from surgeons worldwide, highlighting diverse techniques and lessons that can enhance patient care.

Host: Giulio Tarantino, MD
Guest: Marzia Salgarello, MD

Analyzing how innovation, adaptability and creative problem-solving can advance safe, effective aesthetic surgery in resource-limited settings.

Host: Pei Yu Edward Tung, MD
Guest: George Onyejekwe, MD

Exploring the importance of cultural sensitivity in aesthetic practice, emphasizing respectful communication and personalized care that honors each patient's identity, values and goals.

Host: Aleksandar Jovanović, MD
Guest: Smilja Tudjarova Gjorgova, MD, PhD

Examining aesthetic surgery training models around the world, highlighting how different approaches prepare surgeons with the skills and experience needed for safe, high-quality patient care.

Host: Mohamed Badie Ahmed, MD, PhD
Guest: Ahmed Al-Qahtani, MD