WiSS

Surgery is a demanding profession. It requires continuous training, structured and transparent education, professional curiosity, passion, motivation, and enjoyment of the job - even under high pressure. Role models and a supportive professional environment that enables development and opens up new perspectives are equally important.

This is precisely where it becomes apparent that these conditions are not yet a given for women in surgery everywhere. Despite great progress, structural barriers, limited visibility, and a lack of networking opportunities continue to exist. Women in Surgery Switzerland (WiSS) addresses this issue.

Under the motto “connecting minds. creating opportunities” we connect female surgeons across specialties and career levels, make female role models visible, and create spaces for exchange, mentoring, and mutual support. Our goal is modern surgery with fair working conditions, contemporary structures, and transparent training and continuing education. This benefits not only female surgeons, but the entire profession – and ultimately our patients.

WiSS was founded on September 27, 2023, as the first association for female surgeons in Switzerland. We are an independent, non-profit association and cater to female surgeons at all stages of their careers – from students to executives.

We see ourselves as part of a larger network and actively engage in dialogue with national and international organizations with similar goals, including interdisciplinary associations. In this way, we join forces, promote synergies, and work together to strengthen the transition to sustainable surgery.

Our activities are based on three central pillars:

Networking and mutual support, visibility of female role models, and actively shaping modern surgery.