Representation of Women in the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association: Evidence for Positive Change

2020 Women in Thoracic Surgery Update on the Status of Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery

“…15 It is also noted that, despite increased numbers in the workforce, women remain stagnant in terms of representation in authorship in the CT surgical literature, particularly at the senior author level. 16,17 Finally, women surgeons have been shown to be treated with less tolerance for poor operating room behaviors compared to male counterparts, and share multiple reports of microaggressions, outright hostility, and discrimination. 8,12,18,19 CT surgery is not immune to these experiences; a recent investigation into the prevalence of sexual harassment in CT surgery found disturbingly high frequency of events for women in our workforce.…”

Women in Thoracic Surgery 2020 Update—Subspecialty and Work-Life Balance Analysis

“…The recent nomination of the first female president of the American Association for Thoracic Surge1y (AATS), and the first female presidents of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA) and Western Thoracic Surgical Association are steps in the 1ight direction. 12 • 13 Having women in visible leadership positions in CT su rge1y is particularly important to se1ve as examples for female students and trainees. Mentorship is critical.…”

Sex Representation Among Principal Investigators in Cardiac Surgery Clinical Trials in the United States

“…It has been well documented that, compared with surgery and medicine overall, academic cardiothoracic surgery has an overrep-resentation of men among trainees and faculty, 13 as well as among authorship and leadership positions. 14,15 In addition, a sex gap is seen among patients participating in cardiovascular clinical trials in the United States, 5 and most of the treatments for cardiovascular disease come from trials involving male patients. However, it remains unknown whether a sex gap also exists among the cardiac surgeons who lead these trials.…”