14001: Rising Stars

Saturday, November 14, 2026
8:00 am - 10:00 am

Room: RM309

Chairs: Jeffrey J. Woo

Faculty: Diana Encalada Soto, Esther S. Han, Whitney T. Trotter Ross, Christine E. Foley, Youssef Youssef

Description: This postgraduate course highlights emerging leaders in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery who have demonstrated excellence in clinical care, research, education, global health, and professional leadership. Through a series of focused presentations, faculty will share practical strategies for lifelong surgical skill development, academic advancement, research collaboration, leadership growth, and expanding access to gynecologic surgical training worldwide. Attendees will gain insights to help navigate and accelerate their own professional development within gynecologic surgery.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

1. Evaluate strategies for lifelong surgical skill acquisition, self-assessment, and continuous professional development throughout a career in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery;
2. Identify opportunities to advance academic and professional success through research funding, collaborative networking, global health engagement, and scholarly productivity; and
3. Apply principles of leadership, mentorship, and career development to foster growth as an educator, investigator, and administrative leader within gynecologic surgery.

COURSE OUTLINE

8:00 AM Welcome, Introduction and Course Overview

J. Woo

8:05 AM Critical Self-Assessment and Life-Long Surgical Skill Acquisition

D. Encalada Soto

8:25 AM Training Gynecologic Surgeons in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

E. Han

8:45 AM Clinicians Engaged in Research-Securing NIH Funding

W. Trotter Ross

9:05 AM Growth and Success in Administrative Leadership

C. Foley

9:25 AM Research Collaboration through Professional Networking

Y. Youssef

9:45 AM Discussion Questions & Answers

10:00 AM Adjourn