D. Hayes Agnew (1818 -1892) was the first John Rhea Barton Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania from 1878 to 1889.
The Agnew Society is the oldest student run medical student society in the country, founded in 1888 as a surgical interest group.
Today, the goal of the Agnew Surgery Society is to serve as a link between Surgical Faculty and medical students, and to promote medical student interest in surgical careers. Throughout the year, the society sponsors a shadowing program for preclinical students, lectures by Penn Faculty, as well as a research fellowship program for MS1 students during the summer following the first year. In the spring, the Agnew Lecture is given at Surgical Grand Rounds. The Agnew speaker is chosen from a short list of surgical icons who are felt to represent the past, present and future of surgery in America. The society also sponsors a dinner preceding the lecture, at which students have the opportunity to interact with Surgical Faculty in a social setting.
Though the focus of the group has traditionally been on General Surgery and its subspecialties, students interested in all surgical fields are encouraged to participate.
Agnew Surgery Society Membership
Membership in the Agnew Society is open to all Penn Medical Students, and all classes will have the opportunity to join our email lists at the beginning of the school year. Sign-up sheets will be available at the Student Activities Fair, in MS1 and MS2 lecture halls, and by email. A membership survey will be sent in early September, and students will be asked to commit to attending at least 4 of 5 Agnew meetings to be considered Agnew members. Individuals wishing to attend less frequently are welcome and announcements about upcoming programs will be sent to the entire student body. Students are kindly asked to indicate their interest in attending skills workshops in advance, in order to ensure a sufficient supply of materials and instructors. Due to space limitations, invitations to the Agnew dinner will be extended only to members who fulfill the above requirement.
If you wish to join the Society at any point during the year, email Rohan Palanki with your name and contact information.