UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Wits Students Surgical Society


The Wits Students Surgical Society is a platform for medical students and aspiring medical specialists interested in the art and science of surgery.  The Society was started in August of 2010 after the idea was presented to Professor Martin Veller (Academic Head of the Department of Surgery) by a 3rd year student Rip da Silva.  The idea was well supported and approved and the rest is history.  The society facilitates, on a bimonthly basis, lectures from prominent figureheads in the surgical world, and hosts a number of other events such as surgical skills workshops for junior and senior years. 

The core objectives of the society are:

  • Provide insight into a career of surgery
  • Gain valuable surgical skills
  • Collaborate with other surgical societies
  • Provide a platform for relationships to develop between students and surgeons
  • Give back to the community

The society is now well established and continues to grow and mature with every event.  As the society’s leaders, the executive committee intends on providing its members with events, activities and experiences that will interest and enlighten them on all aspects of a surgical career. The society has four main portfolios: Communications, Community Outreach, Workshops, and Collaborations.