Eight women reconstructive surgeons from seven countries have joined the fifth cohort of ReSurge International’s Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery (PWRS) program. Their training began with leadership development in Bangkok, Thailand, followed by hands-on clinical training in breast cancer reconstruction in Hue, Vietnam.
The 2026 cohort marks ten years of partnership between ReSurge International and SkinCeuticals, supporting first-generation women reconstructive surgeons in low- and middle-income countries. The program combines advanced surgical skills, mentorship, and leadership training to help surgeons expand access to care in their own communities.
Meet the 2026 PWRS Cohort
This year’s cohort brings together eight surgeons from seven countries:
- Dr. Ezati Ayikoru Daphine, Uganda
- Dr. Faith Atieno, Kenya
- Dr. Laxmi Kandel, Nepal
- Dr. Moumita Acharya, India
- Dr. Nardos Tedla, Ethiopia
- Dr. Natalie Muhia, Kenya
- Dr. Rutendo Faith Makiwa, Zimbabwe
- Dr. Taonga Kim Mbewe, Zambia
These surgeons will advocate for change in their health systems, mentor the next generation, and help shape the future of reconstructive surgery in their countries.
Leadership Training for Women Surgeons in Bangkok
From September 23–25, the cohort participated in three days of leadership training at L’Oréal Thailand in Bangkok. The program was co-led by ReSurge CEO Claire Lachance and Ida Abdalkhani of A2E, with sessions on strategic planning and personal vision-setting.
Leadership development is an essential part of PWRS. Alongside their clinical work, surgeons need the skills and professional networks to strengthen surgical services, advocate for patients, and support other women entering the field.
Breast Cancer Reconstruction Training in Vietnam
Following the Bangkok program, the cohort traveled to Hue, Vietnam, for clinical training from September 26–October 3 alongside an international team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses.
The training reflects ReSurge’s growing focus on breast cancer reconstruction and microsurgery. Microsurgical techniques allow surgeons to reconnect nerves, blood vessels, and tissue to repair damage from trauma, burns, cancer, and disease.
ReSurge has worked in Vietnam since 1989 and recently established the country’s first breast cancer reconstruction training program. Led by Dr. Dung Nguyen, director of breast reconstruction at Stanford University, and local ReSurge surgical partner Dr. Trung Hau, the program has trained more than 150 local surgeons. The PWRS cohort can learn directly from this model of local surgeons building expertise, providing care, and passing their skills on to others.
Why Women in Reconstructive Surgery Matter
Surgically treatable conditions kill more people than tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS combined, yet five billion people lack access to safe, affordable surgical care.
Women represent only 33% of the global surgical workforce. That figure drops to 7% in sub-Saharan Africa and 12% in India, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Since 2017, PWRS has worked to address these gaps by equipping first-generation women reconstructive surgeons with advanced clinical skills, mentorship, and leadership training. Supporting these surgeons helps expand access to reconstructive care while creating opportunities for more women to enter and lead in the profession.
The Impact of the PWRS Program
Before the 2026 cohort, PWRS had:
- Trained 33 women reconstructive surgeons in the PWRS program
- Awarded 60 Matolase Mtonga Scholarships, named in honor of the late Dr. Matolase Mtonga, Zambia’s first woman reconstructive surgeon.
- Helped train the first women reconstructive surgeons in Bhutan, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
PWRS alumni are projected to treat more than 7,500 patients annually, and graduates have the potential to impact 10 million patients over the course of their careers.
“This groundbreaking first decade of the PWRS program is a powerful example of ReSurge’s unyielding commitment to closing the gap to reconstructive surgery. With the generous support of SkinCeuticals, the PWRS program has increased the number of reconstructive surgeons in low income countries – representing the potential to ultimately deliver life-transforming reconstructive surgical care to millions of patients. PWRS is helping to close the enormous gender equity gap in surgical care that persists in LMICs, going beyond just clinical training by also providing leadership development, mentorship, and professional networks that help women surgeons advance and lead.” — Claire Lachance, President and CEO, ReSurge International.
ReSurge and SkinCeuticals: Ten Years of Partnership
PWRS is a partnership between SkinCeuticals and ReSurge International. Since the program’s founding in 2017, SkinCeuticals has donated more than $1.7 million USD to support its work.
“Our ten-year partnership with ReSurge International is rooted in SkinCeuticals’ core belief that advanced professional education and specialized skills have the power to transform. The remarkable surgeons in this cohort embody the future of the program—by using our position as a global leader to do good, we can help build a more equitable future for healthcare worldwide.” — Erica Tan, Global Head of Social Impact and Sustainability, SkinCeuticals.
The fifth cohort joins a growing network of women surgeons expanding reconstructive care and training the next generation in their own countries.
Learn more about the Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery program.
About ReSurge International:
ReSurge International is a global nonprofit founded in 1969 with a mission to build, scale, and sustain reconstructive surgical capacity in low-income countries. Operating across 17 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, ReSurge trains local surgical teams, provides free reconstructive care, and advocates for surgical equity worldwide.
In fiscal year 2026, ReSurge impacted more than 32,000 patients, and trained more than 3,500 medical professionals. ReSurge is a 4/4-star Charity Navigator organization and holds Platinum Candid status. resurge.org
About SkinCeuticals:
Founded on groundbreaking antioxidant research, SkinCeuticals has established itself as the leading force in medical aesthetic skincare worldwide. Our expertise lies in science-backed products that offer transformative solutions, seamlessly integrating with the most advanced cosmetic procedures to enhance skin’s appearance and protect professional results. SkinCeuticals is the trusted choice for over 12,000 dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and medical aesthetic professionals worldwide. Available in 42 countries, the brand is distributed exclusively in the most advanced clinics, SkinCeuticals flagship stores, high-impact travel retail counters and on SkinCeuticals.com.
