Young Surgeons’ Wing: Giving the Next Generation a Voice in EHS
The Young Surgeons’ Wing (YSW) of the European Hernia Society was proudly elected during the EHS Congress in Paris last year, marking an important step in strengthening trainee and early-career surgeon representation within our society.
We are a group of five young surgeons and residents, united by a shared passion for abdominal wall surgery and a strong belief that the voices of trainees and young surgeons’ matter. Our mission is to ensure that the next generation is heard, supported, and actively involved in shaping the future of hernia surgery.
We aim to build a vibrant, trainee-led community that fosters peer support, shared learning, mentorship, and leadership development, while encouraging meaningful engagement in research and EHS initiatives.
Young Surgeons’ Wing – Member Profiles
Mireia Verdaguer (Co-Chair)
Surgeon at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. FEBS-AWS certified, PhD, and Associate Medical Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Mireia developed an early passion for abdominal wall surgery during residency and is dedicated to education, collaboration, and shaping the future of evidence-based abdominal wall surgery within EHS.
Willem Zwaans (Co-Chair)
Abdominal wall and oncologic surgeon at Máxima MC, Veldhoven/Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Board member of the Dutch national chapter and Chair of the Centre of Expertise for Complex Groin and Abdominal Wall Pathology. His research focuses on mesh-related complications and complex abdominal wall surgery, with a strong commitment to mentoring young researchers and surgeons.
Georgia Kotoreni
Surgeon in the private sector in Greece and member of the Educational Wing of the Hellenic Hernia Society. PhD candidate in hernia surgery with a clinical and academic focus on abdominal wall surgery. Georgia is particularly interested in advanced techniques, including component separation and robotic surgery, and values the quality-of-life impact of complex hernia repair.
Katie Gilmore
General surgical trainee in the UK, currently undertaking an MD focused on patient-centred outcomes in umbilical hernia repair, alongside advanced hernia and robotic training in the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow. Katie also serves on the British Hernia Society Trainee Subcommittee and is passionate about improving evidence-based hernia care and widening access to high-quality hernia training.
Saskia Urbani
Visceral surgeon at the Hernia Center Cologne, Germany. Saskia specialises in abdominal wall surgery and is driven by the complexity of hernia pathology and evolving surgical strategies. Within the YSW, she represents a new generation of ambitious, diverse surgeons keen to actively shape the future of the specialty.
What’s Coming Next
Over the coming months, the YSW will roll out several initiatives. At the EHS Congress in Porto 2026, the Wing will be involved in organising hands-on training activities and collaborative workshops, in close partnership with the Educational Wing, the local organising committee, and JAWS.
We are also working toward launching an EHS Academy concept, focused on education, mentorship, and project-based learning for trainees, with opportunities for recognition and awards.
Beyond this, we are building a stronger digital presence. Expect more YSW-led content across EHS social media, including:
- Short educational videos
- Case-based discussions
- Key paper highlights
- Interviews with young surgeons and mentors
- Exam experiences and practical “information pills” for residents
Our goal is to make abdominal wall surgery accessible, engaging, and relevant for trainees at every stage.
We Want to Hear From You
Importantly, this Wing is not just for young surgeons – it is by young surgeons.
We want to hear from you:
- What kind of training or mentorship would you like the YSW to develop?
- What challenges do you face in your training?
- What topics should we cover in future newsletters, webinars, or social media posts?
We invite all residents and young surgeons with an interest in abdominal wall surgery to connect with us, share ideas, and help shape this growing community.
Together, we can build a strong, inclusive, and forward-thinking future for the European Hernia Society.
The Young Surgeons’ Wing
European Hernia Society