Be Part of History – Support the Women in Surgery Artwork
We are raising £10,000 to commission a landmark painting celebrating pioneering female surgeons. This is your chance to be part of history and leave a legacy at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
We’re launching an exciting initiative celebrating Women in Surgery, including a temporary exhibition, permanent display, and a newly commissioned painting honouring pioneering female surgeons. This is a unique opportunity to enrich the College’s collections—but we need your support.
Help us reach our target of £10,000 to commission a unique painting to pay tribute to the pivotal role of women in surgery.
The artwork, set to be unveiled in April 2025, is part of Surgeons’ Hall Museums Women in Surgery initiative, which aims to boost the representation of women in its collection. This initiative will bring much-needed diversity to our art collection, which currently holds 144 portraits—only three of which depict women.
The artwork will highlight the Hunter-Doig medal, an award given to exceptional female Fellow and Members of the College for excellence within the surgical profession. Named after pioneering female surgeons Alice Mabel Headwards Hunter and Caroline Doig, the award has been bestowed upon nine surgeons to date, all of whom will be represented in the portrait, as well as the namesakes of this unique award.
Following a search to find an artist to take on the task, Scotland-based artist Kirstin Mackinnon has been selected for the commission. Kirstin’s acclaimed work in painting and writing has seen her achieve Semi-Finalist status in Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year, and a three-year artist residency with Tighnabruaich Art Gallery. Her work notably focuses on gender equality in contemporary Scottish art.
How to Donate
Click the 'donate here' button to complete your donation on the PayPal website. Please select ‘Women in Surgery’ on the drop-down menu to ensure your donation is assigned to this campaign. Don't forget to select Gift Aid if you are eligible to add another 25% to your donation.
To donate via bank transfer, or for any other enquires, please contact Sarah Hutton: s.hutton@rcsed.ac.uk.
Your generosity will help honour and celebrate the contributions of women in surgery for generations to come.
All donors will be recognised! Choose your impact below.
Donate to Women in Surgery
Click the link below to donate. You will be redirected to PayPal, a safe and secure platform for making donations.
Donate hereScottish-trained artist Kirstin McKinnon
A Living Legacy
You can further support the future of Surgeons’ Hall Museums by leaving a gift in your Will, ensuring that future generations can access our world class heritage assets. Find out more about leaving a legacy gift for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Leave a legacy gift here