Dr. Pramila Shakya, a skilled maxillofacial surgeon at Kirtipur Hospital in Nepal, is a testament to the power of perseverance and empowerment. From a young age, Pramila faced skepticism and discouragement, with many telling her that a career in surgery was unattainable for a woman. “People often said that surgery was not a woman’s field, that it was too demanding, too tough for someone like me,” Pramila recalls.
Despite these challenges, Pramila’s ambition and passion for medicine were undeterred. Her journey took a transformative turn when she joined ReSurge International and SkinCeuticals’s Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery (PWRS) program. This initiative provided her with crucial leadership training, advanced surgical skills, and access to a mentorship network that supported and propelled her forward in her surgical career.
Today, Pramila is not just a surgeon; she is a leader on a team of three other women surgeons at Kirtipur Hospital, all of whom have been part of the same empowering program. Together, they represent a new era in healthcare—one where women lead and excel in fields once dominated by men. Pramila takes immense pride in her work, especially knowing the positive impact she has on her patients. “Being a woman surgeon has allowed me to connect with my patients on a deeper level. Many of my women patients express relief and comfort in being treated by a woman doctor,” she explains.
Pramila and her colleagues are not just providing expert care; they are reshaping perceptions and setting a precedent for future generations of women in medicine. She believes that the quality of care she provides is enhanced by her unique perspective as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Through ReSurge International’s support, Pramila has overcome societal barriers and now champions the cause of women in surgery. Her story is one of triumph over adversity, driven by the belief that gender should never determine one’s professional path.
Your donations help sustain programs like Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery, ensuring that more women can follow in Dr. Pramila’s footsteps.
Help ReSurge empower more women in medicine and close the gap in access to surgical care once and for all.