FIGO announces selection of the 2023–2025 division directors elect and committee vice chairs

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mages of Elected Division Directors

We are pleased to announce the incoming committee vice chairs and division directors elect. 

These individuals have been appointed based on their incredible achievements and engagement within FIGO. They will continue to shape the work carried out by committees and divisions, and advance FIGO’s mission in line with the Strategic Plan.   

2023–2025 FIGO division directors elect 

Division directors elect will assume the position of division directors in October 2025. For the remainder of this term, they will continue to serve in their present capacity as past chairs, while being mentored by the respective incumbent division directors. 

The 2023-2025 FIGO division directors elect are: 

Division of Benign Surgery - Megan Wasson, USA 

Dr Megan Wasson is the immediate Past Chair of the Committee on Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) and currently chairs the Department of Medical and Surgical Gynecology at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. She has extensive experience in minimally invasive surgical education and global healthcare advocacy. As Chair of the MAS Committee, Dr Wasson organised more than 10 specialised sessions on minimal access surgery and the screening of the film “Below the belt” at the 2023 FIGO World Congress in Paris. The committee produced a number of other outputs under her leadership, including a FIGO Statement on ensuring worldwide access to minimally invasive surgery

"It would be my honor and privilege to serve as FIGO's Director of the Division of Benign Surgery. My focus on education, research, advocacy, and capacity building are well aligned with FIGO's mission." - Dr Megan Wasson 

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Megan Wasson

Division of Maternal & Newborn Health - Fionnuala McAuliffe, Ireland 

Professor Fionnuala McAuliffe is the immediate Past Chair of FIGO's Committee on the Impact of Pregnancy on Long-term Health (IPLTH). She is the Head of Women's and Children's Health at University College Dublin and the Director of the UCD Perinatal Research Centre. She has vast knowledge and experience in maternal-fetal medicine and has been contributing to FIGO’s work since 2014. Under her leadership, the IPLTH Committee published multiple tools and guidelines including the FIGO nutrition checklist and FIGO Pregnancy Passport, both of which have been highly cited, translated into more than ten languages and implemented in multiple countries. 

"I am passionate about FIGO's global role to impact each and every woman and her child by improving their health and nutrition. In my new role, I will bring energy, innovation, enthusiasm and leadership to enhance FIGO's global voice for women's health." 
- Professor Fionnuala McAuliffe 

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Fiounnala McAuliffe

Division of Sexual & Reproductive Health and Wellbeing - Aparna Sridhar, USA 

Dr Aparna Sridhar, is the immediate Past Chair of the Committee on Contraception and a Professor in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, providing full-scope care and teaching advanced concepts in contraception, abortion and infertility. Her achievements as the Chair of the Committee on Contraception include organising FIGO's first podcast series on adolescent contraception and leading the contraception mapping project involving representatives of 74 of FIGO member societies to understand the landscape of sexual and reproductive health issues. Furthermore, Dr Sridhar has been instrumental in establishing crucial partnerships between FIGO and major international organisations including FP2030, WHO, and the International Confederation of Midwives.

"My unique perspective from working in both national and international settings has enhanced my ability to lead and innovate in the field. I am committed to advancing global health initiatives and fostering collaborations that drive progress in sexual and reproductive health." 
- Dr Aparna Sridhar 

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Aparna-Sridhar-headshot

2023–2025 FIGO committee vice chairs 

Newly elected vice chairs will play a crucial role in assisting their respective committee chairs during the remainder of this term, in preparation for assuming the position of committee chairs after the General Assembly in October 2025. 

The 2023-2025 committee vice chairs are: 

Division of Sexual Reproductive Health and Wellbeing  

  • Contraception - Azra Ahsan, Pakistan 
  • Reproductive Medicine, Endocrinology and Infertility - Louise Hull, Australia 
  • Safe Abortion - Helena Paro, Brazil 

Division of Maternal and Newborn Health   

  • Childbirth and Postpartum Haemorrhage - Inês Nunes, Portugal 
  • Health Systems Strengthening and Respectful Care - Rowshan Ara Begum, Bangladesh 
  • Impact of Pregnancy on Long-term Health - Sumaiya Adam, South Africa 
  • Preterm Birth - Priya Soma-Pillay, South Africa 
  • Infections During Pregnancy - Dharmintra Pasupathy, Australia 

Division of Benign Surgery 

  • Minimal Access Surgery - Tsukasa Baba, Japan 
  • Obstetric Fistula - Peter Majinge, Tanzania 
  • Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Disorders - Judith Goh, Australia  

Additional FIGO committees  

  • Climate Change and Toxic Environmental Exposures - Krishnendu Gupta, India 
  • Ethical Aspects of Human Reproduction and Women's Health - Carlos Salazar, Mexico 
  • Menstrual Disorders and Related Health Impacts - Kristen Matteson, USA 
  • Women Facing Crises: Human Rights, Refugees and Violence Against Women - Margit Endler, Sweden 
  • Women's Cancer - Barbara Schmalfeldt, Germany 

We are grateful to our expert volunteers who lend their time, knowledge and expertise to guide the impactful work in our scientific divisions and committees.