How do you lead as a woman of colour in surgery? Join us as Hannah Maple sits down with Evelyn Mensah and Sala Abdalla to discuss the experiences of women of colour in surgery from personal stories, the impact of racism, and theirjourneys towards leadership. We delve into the importance of leadership, offering advice for aspiring women surgeons, and emphasise the power of visibility and support. Don't miss this compelling conversation that challenges and inspires!
Guest: Evelyn Mensah
Evelyn (Evie) Mensah, Consultant Ophthalmologist and WRES Expert at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust is part of the London and Medical WRES Strategy Groups. Evie leads ophthalmology and anti-racism initiatives globally, aiming for equitable healthcare. She championsinstitutional courage. In October 2024, Evie was appointed as the President for the Ophthalmology section of the Royal Society of Medicine. During her two year tenure she hopes to foster closer relationships between ophthalmologists andthe wider multi-disciplinary team.
Guest: Sala Abdalla
Dr Sala Abdalla is a Consultant General, Emergency and Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgeon at the London North West University Healthcare Trust. Dr Abdalla is the author of numerous publications in the field of surgery and surgical education including two textbooks; 'A History of Surgery' which she co-authored with Harold Ellis CBE FRCS, showcasing her dedication to exploring the rich history of surgical practices across the globe, and 'Cracking the general surgical interviews for ST3', which serves as a valuable preparatory resource for aspiring surgeons. DrAbdalla is deeply invested in advancing global access to surgical care. She is the founder and director of a surgical charity called Operation International UK which has close collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Her charity delivers free surgical care and education tounderserved communities around the world. She has received two national awards for her charitable work and cites her charity as one of her proudest achievements.
Hosted by: Hannah Maple
Hannah Maple is a Consultant Transplant and Dialysis Access surgeon based at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and the lead for simulation research. Hannah is the past-Chair of the Ethical, Legal and Psychosocial aspects of Transplantation section (ELPAT) of the European Society of Organ Transplantation and completed the Emerging Leaders Fellowship, awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, in 2023.
Resources
· Watch Evelyn Mensah’s inaugural address when appointed as the President for the Ophthalmology Section of the Royal Society of Medicine: OPT01 - Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Ophthalmology through the Eyes of a Geordie Ghanaian - Zoom
· Cracking the General Surgical Interviews for ST3
· Medical Workforce Race Equality Standard in England
· GMC data supporting the Medical Workforce Race Equality Standard in England
· NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard
News & Updates from RCS England
· RCS England is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Emerging Leaders programme. Applications open on 15 May and closes on 1 September 2025.
· RCS England: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion / Interested in getting involved or supporting our work? Please contact: diversity@rcseng.ac.uk
· The 2025 UK surgical workforce census is now open. It’s quick, confidential and crucial. Your voice helps us push for real change where it matters most, from tackling workforce shortages to improving wellbeing and training. Take the census now: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/standards-and-research/surgical-workforce-census/?utm_source=Digital&utm_medium=TheTheatre&utm_campaign=Census2025
Produced by: Andrea Pearson
We would love to hear from you so please do reach out to us on social media, or email us at podcasts@rcseng.ac.uk
