Medical student earns national leadership role with Association of Women Surgeons

As Colby Mallett began medical school at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM), she knew she was interested in surgery. What she didn't expect was that just two years later she would be leading a global network of medical students committed to advancing mentorship, leadership, and opportunity in the field.

Mallett, now a third-year medical student, has been selected to serve as chair of the Association of Women Surgeons' National Medical Student Committee for the 2026-27 academic year. In the role, she will oversee a committee of approximately 35 medical students from around the world, helping coordinate national programming, regional conferences, research initiatives, and mentorship opportunities for future surgeons.

“I went to the conference last year and was shocked by how kind and open everyone was,” Mallett said. “People were willing to share their experiences, offer mentorship, and invite students to connect with them. After that, I knew this was a community where I wanted to invest my energy.”

Mallett became involved with the organization during her first year of medical school. She initially served as the National Medical Student Committee's research coordinator, organizing the annual student and resident research competition held during the Association of Women Surgeons Annual Conference. The experience opened the door to broader leadership opportunities.

Beyond coordinating research activities, Mallett helped launch initiatives designed to strengthen connections among students, including creating networking opportunities for association members and expanding resources for international medical graduates. Those efforts led physician leaders within the association to encourage her to apply for the committee’s top student leadership position.

As chair, Mallett hopes to continue expanding opportunities for medical students while fostering the supportive culture that first drew her to the organization.

“It’s a lot of work, but I get so much out of it,” she said. “I love connecting with other medical students and helping people. We have incredible opportunities here at VTCSOM, and I feel fortunate to share some of those experiences with students who may not have the same access to research or mentorship.”

Mentorship has been a defining part of Mallett’s own journey. Medical school faculty members including Emily Faulks and Natalie Vaughn, both surgeons at Carilion Clinic, have encouraged her interest in surgery while demonstrating the importance of supporting the next generation of physicians. Through the Association of Women Surgeons, she has also built relationships with surgeons across the country who volunteer their time to mentor students and young trainees.

Now, Mallett is helping provide those same opportunities for others. One of her favorite responsibilities is leading the association's annual high school outreach program, which connects surgeons and medical students with students from underserved and underrepresented communities interested in science and medicine. During the annual conference, medical students are paired one-on-one with high school participants, creating mentoring relationships that often continue long after the event concludes.

Before medical school, Mallett earned a Master of Science in public health from Johns Hopkins University. She traces her passion for medicine back to her teenage years as an ocean lifeguard on the New Jersey shore, where responding to medical emergencies sparked her interest in patient care. Today, she is exploring a career in surgery with a particular interest in trauma surgery.

This September, Mallett will lead the National Medical Student Committee’s activities at the annual conference in Washington, D.C., where she will present the committee’s accomplishments, coordinate the research competition, and oversee the organization’s high school outreach program.

For Mallett, the opportunity represents more than a leadership title.

“I remember thinking I could never be in medical school,” she said. “Now I get to mentor students who feel the same way and help them find their path. That’s one of the most meaningful parts of this role.”