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Association of Women Surgeons


May 27, 2026

Welcome to AWS Knots and Thoughts, a podcast designed to help you succeed in your surgery clerkship. This podcast is produced by the Association of Women Surgeons National Medical Student Committee and hosted by Vikita Patel and McKenzie Mayer. Music by Hart Fogel.

In this episode, McKenzie shares her experience navigating the VSLO and away rotation process in real time, alongside Vikita, a recently matched applicant who went through it just a year ago. Together, they break down how the VSLO platform works, highlight key timelines, and discuss how to approach away rotations strategically. They also explore the mindset needed to succeed on rotations, how to think about letters of recommendation, and the emotional realities of constantly being evaluated in new environments.

Whether you’re preparing for VSLO, currently in the thick of it, or just starting to explore surgical specialties, this episode offers practical advice, honest insight, and reassurance that you’re not alone in the process.