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New Initiative

The Surgical Journal

WhereScienceMeetsHumanity

Surgery4Youth is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever Surgical Journal — merging academic research, creative expression, and personal storytelling to highlight the impact of surgery on individuals and communities.

Submit Your WorkRead the Guide

About the Journal

The Surgery4Youth Surgical Journal & Magazine will publish two volumes per year (spring and fall), featuring both scientific articles and human-centered narratives about surgery.

Each issue captures two interconnected perspectives — creating a holistic and empathetic publication that celebrates surgery not only as science, but as a deeply human field defined by resilience, compassion, and connection.

The Scientific Side

Articles exploring surgical techniques, innovations, and case studies.

The Human Side

Personal stories reflecting how surgery has shaped lives and perspectives.

Our goal is to create a holistic and empathetic publication that celebrates surgery not only as science, but as a deeply human field defined by resilience, compassion, and connection.

What We Publish

Each issue captures the full picture of surgery — the rigorous science and the deeply human stories that define the field.

The Scientific Side

Research, explainers, and case-based writing that educate, inform, and contextualize surgical science for a student audience.

Accepted Topics

  • Surgical techniques or procedures
  • Medical devices and innovations
  • Case studies or clinical concepts
  • Surgical subspecialties
  • Ethical or systems-based surgical issues
  • Translational or emerging research relevant to surgery

Style: Informative, structured, objective but engaging. Write as if teaching an intelligent peer who is new to the topic.

Length: ~1,000–2,000 words

The Human Side

Narratives, reflections, and personal perspectives that explore the emotional, ethical, and personal dimensions of surgery.

Accepted Topics

  • Personal experiences with surgery (patient, family, or observer)
  • Reflections from students, caregivers, or aspiring surgeons
  • Ethical dilemmas or moments of uncertainty
  • Stories of resilience, fear, recovery, or growth
  • Reflections on healthcare systems and access
  • Art-inspired or interdisciplinary narratives tied to surgery

Style: Reflective, sincere, emotionally honest. We value authenticity over dramatization.

Length: ~500–1,500 words

Bridge both sides.

We strongly encourage submissions that blend science and humanity — a case explained through both clinical detail and personal reflection, a scientific topic grounded in lived experience, or a systems issue explored through both data and story. These pieces should maintain scientific accuracy while preserving human voice.

Summer 2026

Our inaugural Spring edition follows this timeline. Mark your calendars!

1
May 1 – June 1

Submissions Window

Submissions open May 1 and close June 1. During this window, all submissions receive feedback for improvement from editors.

2
June 1 – July 17

Review & Editing

Editors select the best pieces for further editing and review. Selected authors collaborate with artists to add a visual component to accompany their paper.

3
Week of August 3

Publication Release

The inaugural Summer edition of The Surgical Journal is published and shared with the world.

Happy writing!

Submission Guide

We publish work that explores surgery through two complementary lenses: The Scientific Side and The Humanity Side. Submissions may fall into one category or intentionally bridge both.

1

General Expectations

All submissions should:

  • Be clear, thoughtful, and purposeful
  • Be written for a student audience (high school / undergrad university) — no assumed medical training
  • Avoid unnecessary jargon or explain it clearly
  • Demonstrate curiosity, accuracy, and respect
  • Center surgery as the core focus or driver of the story

We value clarity over complexity and insight over volume.

2

The Scientific Side — Writing Guide

Scientific pieces aim to educate, inform, and contextualize surgical science for a student audience. These articles should make complex topics accessible without oversimplifying.

Writing Style & Tone

  • Informative and structured
  • Objective but engaging
  • Accessible to non-experts
  • Professional, but not dry

Avoid writing as if for a peer-reviewed medical journal. Write as if you are teaching an intelligent peer who is new to the topic.

Structure Guidelines (Flexible)

  • Clear introduction and motivation
  • Background or context
  • Main explanation or discussion
  • Clinical or real-world relevance
  • Thoughtful conclusion or takeaway

Headings and subheadings are encouraged.

Length

~1,000–2,000 words. Shorter or longer pieces may be accepted if justified by clarity.

Citations & Sources

Claims must be supported by credible sources. Use peer-reviewed literature when possible. Informal citation style is acceptable. Plagiarism is not tolerated.

If you are unsure whether a topic is appropriate, please email Surgery4youth@gmail.com

3

The Humanity Side — Writing Guide

Humanity-focused pieces explore the emotional, ethical, and personal dimensions of surgery. These submissions highlight how surgery impacts people, not just bodies.

Writing Style & Tone

  • Reflective and sincere
  • Emotionally honest but thoughtful
  • Narrative-driven or essay-style
  • Clear and grounded — not sensationalized

We value authenticity over dramatization.

Structure Guidelines (Very Flexible)

Humanity pieces may take many forms: narrative storytelling, personal essays, reflective commentary, or creative nonfiction. There is no required structure — but submissions should have:

  • A clear emotional or reflective arc
  • Intentional pacing
  • A meaningful takeaway or insight

Length

~500–1,500 words. Short-form reflections may also be considered.

Ethics & Sensitivity

Patient privacy must be respected. Avoid identifying details unless consent is explicit. Sensitive topics should be handled with care and maturity. Never exploit trauma for effect.

4

Blended Submissions (Science + Humanity)

We strongly encourage pieces that bridge both sides, such as:

  • A case explained through both clinical detail and personal reflection
  • A scientific topic grounded in a lived experience
  • A systems issue explored through both data and story

These pieces should maintain scientific accuracy while preserving human voice.

5

Visual Collaboration

Selected submissions may be paired with:

  • Illustrations
  • Infographics
  • Concept art

Authors may collaborate with our artist team during the editing process to add a visual dimension that enhances — not replaces — the written work. Keep in mind, this process comes later down the line and isn't an immediate concern for writers.

6

Final Notes

We are not looking for perfection. We are looking for:

Thoughtfulness

Growth

Curiosity

Humanity

Editing is a collaborative process, and submissions may be refined in partnership with the editorial team. We encourage bold questions, careful thinking, and meaningful storytelling.

— Surgery4Youth Magazine Team

Spring 2026 Edition

Whether you're writing about cutting-edge surgical science or sharing a deeply personal experience with surgery, we want to hear from you.

Can't see the form? Open it in a new tab

Have questions about your submission? Surgery4youth@gmail.com

Contact UsThe Surgical Journal