We offer the following for members:

For Fellows:

• local link to RACS activities and resources
• assistance with matters relating to surgical standards
• representation to the Tasmanian Government and statutory agencies on matters of importance to surgeons and surgery in Tasmania
• links to other medical organisations (e.g. Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency)
• payment point for accounts/reimbursement of expenses
• a regular newsletter.

For Trainees:

• Information on, and a local resource point for basic and advanced training programs (the office coordinates the administration of some of the programs)..

A Fellow is considered active if they are currently involved in any aspect of surgical activity that involves the use of surgical skills or knowledge gained through their surgical training. This extends to and is not exclusive of medico-legal work, research or supervision of Trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs).

bongiorno group women in surgery grant

founded in memory of Tony Bongiorno

promoting gender equity in surgery

About the grant

The Bongiorno Group Women in Medicine Grant champions gender equity in medicine by supporting Victorian and Tasmanian women doctors who are nearing completion of their specialty training or are in their first years of Fellowship. The grant funds learning and knowledge-sharing initiatives that contribute to gender equity in medicine and have a meaningful impact on the profession and others.

First established in 2024 as the Women in Surgery Grant in memory of Bongiorno Group’s co-founder, Tony Bongiorno, the grant has now expanded eligibility to all medical specialties. Tony was a great friend to many doctors and a pioneer promoter of gender equity since the early 1970s.  As a founder of Bongiorno Group, Tony was a mentor, teacher and thought leader dedicated to education and the principle that career advancement should be based on ability, not gender. The grant is fully funded and administered by the Bongiorno Group.

2026 grant timing

1 June                  Applications opened

31 July                  Applications closed

26 September      Recipient announced

Apply here 

2025 grant recipient announcement

Congratulations to Dr Ash Asairinachan – 2025 Women in Surgery Grant recipient

The Bongiorno Group is proud to award the 2025 Bongiorno Group Women in Surgery Grant to Dr Ash Asairinachan in support of her Fellowship in Paediatric ENT at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), UK.

Dr Asairinachan, who obtained her Fellowship in Otolaryngology earlier this year, is focusing on paediatric airway surgery at GOSH where she commenced in April as a Senior Clinical Fellow. As experts in paediatric airways, GOSH pioneers tracheal stenting, laryngotracheal reconstruction, and management of lymphovascular malformations.

Dr Asairinachan plans to return with world-class technical skills to improve access to paediatric airway patients in Victoria, Tasmania and southern New South Wales at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Melbourne. She is committed to building research and academic links between RCH and GOSH, and mentoring ENT trainees to pursue paediatric fellowships.

The Bongiorno Group Women in Surgery grant promotes gender equity in the surgical workforce by supporting women who are Victorian and Tasmanian surgical trainees and surgeons. The grant funds learning and knowledge-sharing activities that provide a flow-on benefit to others and to gender equity in the surgical workforce.

The grant was established in 2024 in memory of Tony Bongiorno, a founder of the Bongiorno Group. A great friend to many surgeons and a pioneer promoter of gender equity since the early 1970s, Tony was committed to enhancing the lives of all who knew him. Foremost Tony was a teacher, a mentor and an industry thought leader. He was passionate about education and believed career progression should be based on ability rather than gender.

Past recipients

2024 - Dr Amy Gibbens