Rhea Ponugubati

Plastic Surgery: Paediatric Plastic Surgery Conference Co-Chair

Hey, I'm Rhea, and I’m excited to run for the position of Paediatric Plastic Surgery Conference Co-Chair!

My passion for paediatric surgery stems from a deep appreciation of how plastic surgery uniquely impacts children's lives, restoring both form and function. I have extensive experience organizing and managing events, having led tutoring and mentoring programs, coordinated outreach workshops in schools, and collaborated with external organizations. These experiences have equipped me with strong logistical planning, effective communication, and adaptability skills.

My aims:

Develop a compelling conference theme emphasizing key paediatric plastic surgery topics such as cleft lip and palate repair, congenital hand deformities, and burn reconstruction, through specialists.
Secure speakers and workshop leaders early by leveraging existing relationships with surgeons, paediatricians, and consultants in the field. My time working at GOSH has allowed me to develop my network or pediatric consultants and surgeons!
Organize practical workshops using realistic simulations, including delicate suturing exercises (using silicone skin models), microsurgical demonstrations, and child-specific scenarios to ensure applicability.
Actively collaborate with publicity and sponsorship teams to obtain targeted funding and organize fundraising activities like raffles, bake sales, and merchandise sales, directly supporting children’s charities.
Increase delegate engagement by hosting pre-conference competitions and interactive quizzes on social media to boost excitement and foster community among attendees.

Thank you for reading my mainfesto, together we'll deliver a memorable and impactful Paediatric Plastic Surgery Conference, inspiring delegates and making a meaningful contribution to children's healthcare!