SVS & SVSF Celebrate Women's History Month
The SVS and SVS Foundation join together to celebrate Women's History Month. The SVS and SVSF have come together to create the Voices of Vascular Series to aid in the expansion of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives throughout each entity. Visit this webpage throughout the month of March to learn new facts and explore profiles of various SVS members who identify as female.
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the women shaping vascular surgery — and commit to strengthening their future.
While representation has grown by 5% between 2015 and 2022, retention remains a challenge. Women in vascular surgery are 2.05 times more likely to leave practice, making clear that growing the pipeline isn’t enough. Sustained progress requires mentorship, support and investment.
That’s why the SVS Foundation, in partnership with the SVS Women’s Section, is working to raise $30,000 to fund travel grants for female trainees and early-career surgeons — creating meaningful opportunities for mentorship, education and leadership development.
Voices of Vascular Profiles
Women's History Month: Robyn Macsata, MD
Dr. Robyn Macsata understood that vascular surgery is not only a technical discipline, but a deeply human one—rooted in connection, mentorship and inclusion. She believed that when the field welcomes diverse perspectives and empowers individuals to bring their full selves to the profession, it becomes stronger, more innovative and more responsive to the patients it serves.
A Look Into a Mentor/Mentee Relationship
Melissa Kirkwood, M.D., is an associate professor and department chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She has been a faculty member at UT Southwestern for about 12 years, after completing a fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center back in 2011. In the five years that Vascular Surgery Fellow, Jacqueline Babb, MD has known Dr. Kirkwood, she has fallen in love with vascular under Dr. Kirkwood’s guidance.
Thank you to our Companion Sponsor!
The SVS and SVS Foundation extend their sincerest gratitude to Boston ScientificTM for being the Companion Sponsor for our celebration of Women's History Month.
