Women in Surgery

JUNE 2019 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM

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WOMEN IN SURGERY Chandra Wilson

Though just a TV doctor, the actress who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey has some real-life advice for female surgeons

Discover how mentorship programs inspire young female surgeons Find out why diversity along gender and racial lines promotes better outcomes for providers and patients alike

More Female Surgeons Starts With More Female Role Models and Mentorship Programs Though half of medical students are now women, they are underrepresented in the surgical fields.

The American College of Surgeons is fixing this.

t’s no secret that, historically, progress has been slow for women who choose a career in surgery. However, the tide has been turning in recent years.

More women have been advancing into leadership positions in research, academic institutions, and medical societies — many times as a result of the support they’ve received from other female surgeons.

A ”watershed moment” Women entering leadership roles in the surgical profession today are part of a “watershed moment” that should be celebrated, said Susan Pories, M.D., FACS, an associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, medical director of the Hoffman Breast Center at Mount Auburn Hospital

in Cambridge, Massachussets, and member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Board of Governors.

Dr. Pories recently co-authored an article in the Annals of Surgery describing how far women have come in the surgical profession and offering suggestions for increasing their representation in the future.

She explained that mentorship, sponsorship, and coaching — from both women and men — are all necessary components to helping women rise in the profession.

Mentors can provide career advice, help mentees navigate challenges, or just give mentees a space to vent without judgment, Dr. Pories said.

A sponsor can be similar to a mentor, but a sponsor also advocates for the person he or she is help-

Devin Rose Public Information Assistant, American College of Surgeons

“Mentors can provide career advice, help mentees navigate challenges, or just give mentees a space to vent without judgment.”

ing by recommending them for open positions and other advancement opportunities. Coaches teach skills like self-confidence and negotiation.

Dr. Pories said that the benefits from these roles are especially important to underrepresented women of color. “They are really the ones that need encouragement because they’re fighting not only the barrier of gender but also of race,” Dr. Pories said.

“I think a lot of times advancement for them doesn’t come without help from somebody else, and it has to be deliberate. We all have to play a part in that.”

Help from above Dr. Pories is the chair of the ACS Women in Surgery Committee, which has offered a year-long mentorship program for

female surgeons since 2014. The program pairs senior faculty mentors with junior faculty mentees who have been in practice for less than five years. Dr. Pories said that the mentees feel that having other women mentor them is especially valuable.

She added that ACS has many resources available to help women navigate surgical careers. Patricia Turner, M.D., FACS, director of ACS Division of Member Services, said this support for female surgeons is important because more than half of medical students are now women.

“We want to support all who are or will be our colleagues,” Dr. Turner said about the ACS. “This means mentoring, advising, and advocating for women at every stage of their surgical career.” n

Publisher Samantha Coppola Business Developer Gretchen Pancak Managing Director Luciana Olson Designers Tiffany Pryor, Marie Coons Copy Editor Seth Garben Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Lead Editor Mina Fanous Production Manager Josh Rosman Content Strategist Vanessa Rodriguez Cover Photo Tina Bernard All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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How the Surgical Industry Is Supporting Female Surgeons

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Only 19 percent of surgeons in the United States are female, but women in the industry say that that gender gap may be starting to close. They’re also seeing more women in professional roles inside and outside of the operating room.

“We are seeing women come to the table and their voices are being heard,” says Myriam Curet, executive vice president and chief medical officer of Intuitive Surgical, Inc., a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery. “I have seen a lot more women speaking up in the OR.” Curet recalls very few female surgeons in the industry when

she began her surgical career more than two decades ago.

And, while she’s proud to see women being welcomed and even celebrated in the industry, she’s even more proud to see women represented across the field.

“Women are finding their voice at a time when companies and engineers are realizing they need to develop a broader range of users,” she says.

Innovating requires human understanding Twenty years ago, Intuitive launched one of the world’s first robotic-assisted surgical systems — the da Vinci®. Since then, surgeons have performed more than 6 million procedures using the system.

“Every surgeon is different.

Every patient is unique. Physical size or strength should not be a factor in the outcome,” stated Curet. “That’s why it’s so important to have people of dif-

ferent genders involved in the R&D process .”

But it wasn’t always that way.

“Surgery has traditionally been done by men so OR tools have mostly been designed with men in mind,” says Curet, noting, for example, that the same heavy surgical clamps used by larger men were also used by petite women.

Robotic-assisted surgical systems help address ways for doctors, regardless of gender or size, to perform some procedures more comfortably and efficiently. With the da Vinci surgical system, for example, surgeons perform procedures seated at a console in the OR, not standing, which can be helpful during long procedures or many shorter procedures in a day.

The console can be adjusted to accommodate surgeons of different sizes and body types.

“You’re not reaching over the patient or worrying about having long enough arms,” says

Curet, who notes the robotic technology has extended her surgical career.

As for the heavy clamps? “It can be done by pushing down on a foot pedal, similar to the gas pedal in a car,” said Curet of the da Vinci system.

Empowering women in surgery with data Innovations in tech, such as robotics and big data analytics are also helping level the playing field.

Darla Hutton, vice president of U.S. commercial marketing and custom hospital analytics at Intuitive, spent a year-and-ahalf talking to surgical societies and female surgeons about their experiences. Hutton learned that they often struggled to be heard, to get referrals, and to receive consideration as the primary surgeon.

“We work with surgeons to help them understand how to communicate their value through data,” says Hutton.

“We are helping women in surgery be heard,” she continued, referring to the company’s effort to support women in different roles across robotic-assisted surgery.

Intuitive has created a strong community of women in the surgical field and has held educational conferences with session topics that include Women in Research & Development, Women in Clinical Affairs for Publications, and Women as Podium Speakers.

Internally, Intuitive is strongly committed to recruiting diverse employees and helping women advance their careers.

“We can help other women rise in the company,” says Hutton. “It’s important that women have women’s backs and that we’re sending the elevator down for others to come up.” n Kristen Castillo MEDIAPLANET • 3

Female Leadership Is Key to Closing the Gender Gap Dr. Gabriel, president of Rush University wants young prospective female surgeons to know that, though there will be plenty of challenges, the struggle is worth it.

As a woman in a high-ranking leadership position, what values are most important to you?

Passion, vision, and integrity are the values that guide my decisions as a leader.

What are some goals you’re looking to accomplish as president?

We’re planning to create new educational programs for the next generation of healthcare leaders that focus on advancing knowledge to improve health, health equity, and social justice.

What are the benefits of having women in leadership roles?

There is much evidence in support of the fact that gender equity strengthens organizations and is crucial to community health and the wellbeing of society; yet, we do not have an equal voice in healthcare leadership. Companies with higher levels of gender diversity show lower levels of turnover, and inclusive workplaces maximize talent and productivity. Different mindsets, and perspectives are crucial to fostering new ideas.

Are there any obstacles you’ve had to overcome in order to get to where you are professionally?

Even as a leader today, there are daily obstacles to maneuver.

My approach is to find ways to be part of the solution to make things better.

Why do you believe it’s important to foster support and mentorship for women in medicine?

Without their voices, without the perspective of our best and brightest women at the highest levels of decision making, an institution and its leaders perpetuate the same views — views that may stand in the way of progress. We must energize and inspire women who are on the path to leadership.

In what ways do you think universities can encourage and empower prospective female students to pursue a career in surgery?

Universities must advocate to have women at the table, wherever healthcare leaders are making decisions. At Rush, the director of our cancer center is a woman, and our board of governors and board of trustees are both chaired by women.

We must show how women can be critical members of leadership teams while bringing unique skills, perspectives, and knowledge.

Do you have any words of wisdom for women interested in becoming surgeons?

Remain focused on your goals and stay the course. Don’t allow the naysayers to take you off track. And, most importantly, seek out mentors and become a mentor yourself to pay it forward. n

Excellence is commitment to gender equity.

Leaders at Rush are dedicated to advancing opportunities for women in medicine.

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How Diversity and Inclusion Benefit the Surgical Field The internationally renowned surgeon, Diana L. Farmer M.D., discusses how the industry has changed since she began her career, and where she sees it going.

What inspired you to want to become a surgeon? And why did you decide to go into pediatric surgery as your specialty?

My grandfather was a surgeon in Nebraska; I have his medical diploma from 1916 from the (now defunct) National Uni-

versity of St. Louis hanging in my office. So I’m sure there was probably some influence there.

That said, every year I give a talk to the National Youth Leadership Forum, and I tell them that one of the keys to success is pushy parents — my parents made me think there was nothing I couldn’t do. And I believed them.

I was absolutely fascinated with embryology and the developmental anatomy of birth defects, which led me to become interested in fetal and neonatal

surgery. When I speak with people and we discuss performing surgery with fetuses still in the womb, I tell them “you don’t just save a life, you save a lifetime.”

What does holding the role of the chair of the Department of Surgery at University of California, Davis mean to you?

For me, it was an opportunity to take an educationally exceptional department and transform it into a multidisciplinary and multispecialty, high-tech, complex surgical department.

Do you believe it’s vital and valuable to bring more women into leadership positions?

Absolutely. All organizations thrive and succeed to higher levels when they have a diversity of thought, whether that is gender, race, culture, or other backgrounds. It’s important to have women at all levels of leadership roles in the institution.

What is your perspective on mentorship for female students, professors, doctors?

Mentorship is important for all learners and trainees, and young physicians. The value of having diverse faculty is that we are available to mentor diverse students, and match particular skill sets and interests with those of the learners.

Do you believe diversity and inclusion is important for innovating the academic and professional spaces of medicine?

All organizations thrive and succeed to higher levels when they have a diversity of thought.

Are there any words of wisdom you’d like to offer to prospective women surgeons?

I advise all young people to follow their passions and be persistent.

Don’t let gender or any other perceived difference limit your curiosity or ambition. n

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The Value of Mentorship in Developing Female Surgeons The industry is seeing an uptick in the number of female surgeons, due in large part to more robust advocacy programs that target underrepresented groups. he surgical treatment of cancer is used in up to 80 percent of cases and is the oldest form of cancer treatment. While most cancer surgeries are performed by general surgeons, the American Board of Surgery recognized surgical oncology as a sub-specialty in 2011. Since that time, the number of women becoming general surgeons has grown considerably.

More to be done In the Association of American Medical Colleges 2018 ”Physician Specialty Data Report,” only 20.6 percent of active general surgeons are women. However, the number of female residents and fellows in general surgery was 40.1 percent. Furthermore, the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) reports that in the period of 2016–2018, complex general surgical oncology (CGSO) fellowship programs were 38 percent women and breast oncology

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fellowship programs were 86 percent women.

Sandra L. Wong, M.D., MS, Chair of Surgery at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and SSO Treasurer, stated, “Women in surgical careers are gaining momentum, but we are not at critical mass yet. While my career has been shaped in many ways, I definitely have benefited from women who were on the leading edge and made it possible for women to be leaders in academic surgery.”

The necessary help The success of any career relies on role models and mentors.

Nora Jaskowiak, M.D., Professor of Surgery and Surgical Director at the University of Chicago Breast Center, remembers, “I didn’t have any female surgical oncology mentors during my time in medical school. [But] in my residency at UCSF, I had

two amazing female surgeons as mentors: Nancy Ascher, M.D., a liver transplant surgeon, and Linda Riley, M.D., a vascular surgeon. It was here that I received the directive, ‘Be excellent, Be admired, Be a leader’.”

Callisia N. Clarke, M.D., assistant professor at Medical College of Wisconsin, said, “’Persistence pays’ is the story of my journey. I immigrated to the United Sates from Jamaica when I was 17. I knew since a young age that I wanted to be a surgeon, but along the way there was a lot of discouragement — whether that would align with my goals as a woman and being able to find satisfaction with a career that was so demanding. One of my female mentors was a division chief in colorectal surgery. She was a phenomenal surgeon, a good teacher, a wife, and a mother, and she taught me to be comfortable in my own skin.”

Many surgeons, same goal Motivated by a common goal to deliver the best patient care, these women agree that a career in surgical oncology is demanding and rewarding. Dr. Wong said, “In careers like this, it’s never just chance. A lot of it is being deliberate about what you do today to take care of patients, doing the research, and having an eye toward a longer-term goal, and, when you are starting off, saying ‘yes’ to opportunities.”

Dr. Clarke stated, “Every time we have good outcomes and a patient is satisfied with their care — regardless of whether or not that’s a cure — I think it’s a win.” Dr. Jaskowiak concludes, “For a career in surgery for young women, there’s no question — [whether in] contributing to advances [or] caring for patients — just go for it.” n Karen Christensen Araujo, Director, Marketing and Communications, Society of Surgical Oncology

and media because it provides inspiration to the viewers for their own journeys and goals.

Do you think it’s important and beneficial to bring more inclusiveness and diversity to the medical field (to the surgical space)?

Surgeons Is No “Grey” Area

PHOTO: TINA BERNARD

The Need for More Female

She may not be a doctor in real life, but actress and director Chandra Wilson has a sure-fire prescription for young women interested in becoming surgeons.

What has your experience been like working on the show “Grey’s Anatomy”?

Grey’s has given me tremendous respect for what it takes to create dramatic series television. We have become a place of comfort for our viewers, which makes us continue to work hard to maintain the quality that makes us all so proud.

How would you describe your character Dr. Miranda Bailey?

Our audiences have seen that she’s not just the taskmaster, but a loving person, a fierce mom, a faithful wife, a maternal mentor, a bit of a perfectionist, a driven professional, a mental health advocate, and a heart disease survivor.

What does it mean (to you) to play the role of the first female chief of staff and chief of surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital?

As a fan of the show, I appreciate having been able to play a woman who had a big goal 15 seasons ago and being able to watch her have the opportunity to have that goal come to fruition.

What do you think this role showcases to female fans of the show? To women in the field?

Dr. Bailey teaches us that we aren’t always perfect or politically correct, and that our path doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

But, go ahead and set a goal anyway, and go about the business of trying to reach it. Learn along

the way, so that when you get there, you’re ready.

Playing Dr. Bailey, a female surgeon in a high-ranking leadership position, what is your take on having more women in these types of roles in society?

Because of Dr. Bailey’s existence and women like her (not on TV shows), women and girls in the future will never recall a time when a woman could not be in a high-ranking leadership position, or a Chief of Surgery, for instance.

Do you believe it’s valuable to feature women in leadership roles in TV shows, movies, and the media, to viewers?

Women have to be seen in leadership roles in TV shows, movies,

It is absolutely important that we see more inclusiveness and diversity in surgery because it benefits patients to see people who look like them in the medical professionals caring for them.

Why do you believe we should encourage women to pursue a career in surgery?

It is important to encourage women to pursue a career in surgery if it is the career that they want to obtain, to prove that the goal can be achieved, and to encourage others to try.

In your opinion, what are some ways we can empower and support women currently in the field?

We can support and empower women currently in the field by highlighting them so that we know they are there, practicing, and achieving.

What advice would you offer to women interested in becoming surgeons?

My best advice to women becoming surgeons would be to do the work so you can firmly stand in your accomplishment, knowing that someone will always be watching you for guidance, for inspiration, and maybe even for competition. n MEDIAPLANET • 7

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