By:
Women
have made astonishing strides in medicine coming from an enrollment of 6% in
1960 to now forming 50% of the medical school classes nationally. Women have worked hard to make themselves
equally represented in almost all specialties of medicine, including internal
medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics. However, one field of medicine still
remains unable to rid itself of the gender gap and that is surgery. Even with
the female enrollment in medical schools being equal to that of men, women are
greatly underrepresented in surgery, making up only 35% of general surgeons,
and less than 20% in specialties such as orthopedic, neurologic and thoracic
surgery. Women are not only less likely to pursue a career in surgery but they
are also less like to attain leadership positions in academia. Women make up
only 14% of department chairs, 20% of chief residents, and 12% of medical
school deans. As a perspective surgeon, it is concerning to me that I am
entering a field dominated by men and one with such a prominent glass
ceiling. It worries me that I am pursing
a career in which my gender alone will put me at a disadvantage when applying
for leadership positions. It is disturbing that I have the possibility of
faceing sexism and bias in my work environment because as a woman my family
life will be considered a distraction. It is also concerning to me that I won’t
have the right mentorship to learn from with such few women in leadership
positions. Not only will I have to face the challenges that come with a
rigorous surgical residency, but additionally the challenges that come along
with being a female in a male dominant field.
As
a second year medical student, a few months away from starting my third year
clerkships, I am looking forward to coming together with the members of the
Association of Women Surgeons to discuss these issues and the reasons why
surgery is still lagging in ridding itself of the gender gap and its glass
ceiling. Being able to learn from experienced female surgeons about the
challenges they have faced in their careers while trying to achieve leadership
positions, will be of great benefit for my future. I would also like to hear
what advice the members have for perspective surgeons on how to handle
situations in which sexism arises and discuss the resources available for them.
Lastly and most importantly, I am looking forward to discussing how we can
increase mentorship for females in medical schools. I believe early and
effective mentorship can provide more exposure to surgery, clarify common
misconceptions and ultimately decrease the stigma that the field holds. I am
hoping that with the combined effort of perspective and experienced female
surgeons we can empower more women to not only pursue surgery but also attain
top leadership positions in academia.
- Jagsi, Reshma. The “Gender Gap” in Authorship of Academic Medical Literature — A 35-Year Perspective
- Zhuge, Y. Is there still a glass ceiling for women in academic medicine. April,2005
- Women in U.S. Academic Medicine and Science: Statistics and Benchmarking Report 2011-2012
Sidrah Khan is a first generation Pakistani-American and the
first female in her family to pursue a graduate degree. She completed her
undergraduate degree with a dual major in Biology and Psychology at SUNY Stony
Brook. Soon after matriculating at VCU School of Medicine, Sidrah discovered
her passion for surgery in academic medicine. Under the guidance of strong
female surgeons, she recognized the need for mentorship, especially for women
and underrepresented minorities in Surgery. Sidrah then became involved with
the Association of Women Surgeons and was appointed as the student leader of
the Virginia chapter. As her first project, Sidrah created a mentorship program
to stimulate interest in surgery among female medical students. Currently a
third year medical student excelling in clinical clerkships, she continues to
balance her time in research in surgical oncology and medical education.
