Survive and Thrive in the Male-Dominated Field of Otolaryngology

Monday, October 2, 2023

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM East Coast USA Time

Location: 204

Moderator(s)

Tiffany A. Glazer, MD, FACS

Associate Professor / Residency Program Director
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI, United States

Panelist(s)

Tiffany A. Glazer, MD, FACS

Associate Professor / Residency Program Director
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI, United States
Brittny N. Tillman, MD, FACS

Associate Professor, Fellowship Director, Department Of Otolaryngology, Division of Head and Neck Oncology
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, TX, United States
DC

Dana L. Crosby, MD MPH

Chair/Program director
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Springfield, Illinois, United States
Stacey T. Gray, MD

Associate Professor
Harvard Medical School/Mass Eye and Ear
Boston, MA, United States

Disclosure(s):

Dana L. Crosby, MD MPH: No relevant relationships to disclose.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: “Fight for the things you care about, but do so in a way that will lead others to join you.” -RBG

Join us in the “fight” for gender equity in otolaryngology! In 2019 for the first time in history, women made up >50% of incoming U.S. medical students. Despite this increase, there has not been proportionate growth of female representation in surgical specialties like otolaryngology, where women comprise just 34.3% of residents and 18.9% of practicing otolaryngologists. The gender gap is even worse in academic medicine, particularly within leadership positions and within certain subspecialties. Women have the knowledge base and drive required of otolaryngology and academia, so why aren’t more of them choosing it?

In 2020, the AAMC issued a call to action on gender equity, acknowledging it as a key factor in achieving excellence in medicine. It is vital for otolaryngology departments to focus on recruiting, retaining, and promoting women. The presence of female role models and the mentorship they can provide is crucial. Beyond mentorship, successful recruitment and retainment of females relies on improving culture and climate. Issues such as unconscious gender biases and demands of family life need to be openly addressed. In a 2018 AAO-HNS survey sent to female otolaryngologists, only 31% felt residency training was harassment-free, and a staggering 83% felt it is “somewhat to very difficult” to manage work-life balance.

This interactive panel will be led by four fellowship-trained, academic otolaryngologists, will highlight gender biases, and will discuss ways both men & women can implement change. Audience participation is highly encouraged. By the end of this session, participants will understand the current barriers women face, how to empower female otolaryngologists, and how to work towards an equitable practice environment. Both men & women can close the gender gap in otolaryngology, and both men & women will reap the benefits. Concepts can be extrapolated to improve culture and climate for other underrepresented populations within our field.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Describe the culture and climate barriers that female otolaryngologists encounter. Understand there is intersectionality to these barriers for other underrepresented minorities within our field.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Implement ways to create an equitable practice environment for female otolaryngologists, keeping in mind the multifactorial barriers they may face.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Strategize ways to increase the number of women down the otolaryngology pipeline, including recruiting, retaining, and promoting women particularly within academic appointments.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: We presented a similar panel in 2022, with significant audience participation. There was particular interest in sharing strategies that have been implemented in other programs. We would like to re-present the panel, focusing more on these action items for both the individual and department.