“As a female surgeon who is also a visible minority, I am familiar with bias and prejudice. This is why it is both an honour and a relief to speak to ‘Breaking the Bias' at this year’s International Women’s Day.
In my last 5 years at Health Sciences North, I have seen a complete gender shift from a male-dominated General Surgery Division to a fairly evenly matched female: male ratio of surgeons. There is more awareness of gender-specific topics such as maternity leave and the pay differential between men and women physicians (due to preferential referral of psychosocially complex patients to female physicians). We have made headway in breaking down boundaries but there continues to be much work to be done to achieve equality.
To approach equality, there should be attention and celebration of the achievements of women and their invaluable contribution to the field of Medicine and to society at large. We must promote respect amongst women for women and encourage mentorship of upcoming strong female leaders.
In a world that has been designed by men for men, I continue to push the envelope for change, using innovative methods and ideas to achieve equality and diversity. I support and promote my female surgical colleagues at every opportunity and am encouraged to see the predominantly female medical students and residents that rotate through our General Surgery Service.
For these up-and-coming female physicians, I hope for a world where the field of Medicine identifies women as crucial members of the team. I hope that the future has adequate foresight that it will realize that the investment that is put into these women will multiply and be invested exponentially back into the community that has supported them through their training and early years. I hope for a world where female physicians will not get burnt out and leave the field, after fighting battles against inequality and bias every day of their careers.
I commend Health Sciences North for celebrating Women’s Day. Thank you to women everywhere for all you do, for all that is unspoken and for all that is under-or unrecognized.” ~ Dr. Grace Ma, Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgeon, Health Sciences North