London surgeons join #ILookLikeASurgeon
Female surgeons and residents from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry gathered in operating rooms at London Health Sciences Centre’s University Hospital, Victoria Hospital and St. Joseph’s Health Care London this week to add their voices to a global rallying cry for women surgeons. They did so by taking a photo and sharing it for the world to see.
The New Yorker posted an illustration on its cover on April 3 depicting four female surgeons peering down below an operating light. Since then, female surgeons around the globe have been replicating the magazine cover and sharing their photos on social media using the hashtag #ILookLikeASurgeon. The hope is to shed light on the growing number of women entering this once male-dominated profession.
Dr. Audra Duncan said it was important to her to be involved. “I showed my daughter a photo of the packed audience when I delivered a podium presentation at the Society for Vascular Surgery last year, and she said 'where are the girls?' Well, here we are!”
The photos represent the pride that these women take in the work that they do for patients in London.
“The New Yorker cover and our photos have made such an impact – they are show how far medicine and Surgery have come,” said Dr. Julie Ann Van Koughnett. “It is so important for students and our patients so see the various faces of surgeons, including ours. I feel such pride in all our residents, but especially the female residents for being strong, empathetic, and technically excellent surgeons and role models.”
At Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, there are currently 35 female residents of 92 in the Department of Surgery – that makes up almost 40 per cent of the cohort.
“For me it was important to be part of the photo to showcase our profession, to break stereotypes and most importantly to support each other and our residents and fellows,” said Dr. Debra Bartley.
