In a field where an estimated 87% of patients are female, why are most plastic surgeons male? In a new article, San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus joins prominent female plastic surgeons certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to discuss gender disparity in plastic surgery.
The article begins with a surprising statistic from a 2017 study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery –Global Open: although women make up nearly half of medical school graduates, they remain significantly underrepresented among surgical residents and surgeons alike.
Dr. Gallus believes there are several key factors contributing to this trend. “Women and marginalized minorities continue to face inequity with regard to compensation, advancement and opportunities within the field of medicine,” she says. “This continues to bear out in numerous studies that highlight the need for education, transparency and a change in leadership to foster the much-needed parity.”
A 2022 report from the International Labor Organization on women in the healthcare industry found that women can be discriminated against based on several factors, from age and race to religion, sexual orientation, and more. The report goes on to add that often during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the inequality only continues to grow, as women are more often assigned to the lowest-paying and riskiest job roles.
“Women and marginalized minorities continue to face inequity with regard to compensation, advancement, and opportunities within the field of medicine.” – Dr. Gallus
Women in plastic surgery likely deterred by having a family, unequal pay
Next, the ASPS article details how the desire to have a family is one of the most significant obstacles affecting womens’ career choices and how it can discourage women from entering the ultra-demanding field of surgery. According to a report from the American Medical Association, a whopping 90% of women physicians reported gender-related bias specific to pregnancy and maternity leave. The report also notes that one-third of female physicians have experienced workplace discrimination “related to their role as a mom.”
The noticeable lack of supportive parental leave policies isn’t the only challenge facing women in medicine. According to a report from the Harvard Business Review, there is a gender pay gap in the range of 25% to 36% for women physicians compared to their male colleagues. This means that for every $1.00 earned by male doctors in the same roles, women physicians make only $.64 to $.75.
Where the Women Plastic Surgeons (WPS) Forum comes in
For many years, as a result of the significant disparity between men versus women in the plastic surgery field, it has been difficult for female plastic surgeons to find a female mentor in plastic surgery training—but organizations like the Women Plastic Surgeons (WPS) Forum are working to make it more possible. The WPS provides a structured community for female plastic surgeons, allowing them to better support each other and increase gender parity in the industry.
A former chair of WPS, Dr. Gallus speaks highly of the organization, stating, “It is well known that participation in a female-focused professional organization enhances members’ career retention and advancement. By creating opportunities to facilitate leadership, research, and advancement in our field by those who have previously and continue to face inequity and discrimination, we are contributing to the health and growth of plastic surgery as a whole.”
Strong support of current as well as all future generations of women in medicine can prevent physician burnout and boost equality and inclusion. While there is still far to go, the promise of more women pursuing plastic surgery and feeling supported in their careers provides a glimpse at a more promising future for all those working in the field, as well as plastic surgery patients.
“By creating opportunities to facilitate leadership, research, and advancement in our field by those who face inequity and discrimination, we will be contributing to the health and growth of the plastic surgery field as a whole.” —Dr. Gallus
Read the full interview here >>
About Restore SD & Dr. Katerina Gallus
Director of Restore SD Plastic Surgery and former chair of the Women Plastic Surgeons (WPS) Forum, board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus has over 15 years of experience helping patients achieve head to toe rejuvenation with face, breast and body procedures. After a successful career as a Navy plastic surgeon, Dr. Gallus founded Restore SD Plastic Surgery with the intention of creating a welcoming space for anyone seeking cosmetic enhancement.
Restore SD Plastic Surgery offers popular facial rejuvenation procedures including facelift & neck lift, facial fat grafting, and eyelid lift; breast enhancement including breast augmentation with implants, breast lift, or breast reduction; body contouring procedures such as tummy tuck, liposuction, mommy makeover, and Brazilian butt lift (BBL), as well as aesthetician services like BOTOX, injectable fillers, and laser treatments.
Dr. Gallus and her highly-experienced aesthetics team are here to help you look and feel your best! To schedule a personal consultation, please contact us online or call our San Diego office at (858) 224-2281 today.
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