Women in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery

A new study presents data reflecting the current state of female representation within the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). The study is published in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. Click here to read the article now.

Theda Kontis, MD, from Johns Hopkins Hospital, and coauthors, report that only 13% of 1421 surgeons in the AAFPRS membership are female. “Given the data presented in this study, a critical need exists to continue fostering the development of female surgeons in our specialty – not only for the sake of equality but also to strengthen the specialty as a whole,” state the investigators.

“To foster leadership opportunities for women in our specialty, we must first ensure the career longevity that is a prerequisite for such leadership positions, thus, it is critical also to address the professional well-being and professional satisfaction of female surgeons by targeting burnout and bias. Biases, including microaggressions and/or discrimination, which 73% of women have reported experiencing, are also associated with burnout.”

Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine Editorial Fellow Jennifer Shehan, MD, University of California, Davis, states: “The authors analyze historical female representation, but more importantly they offer a call to action for education, mentorship, and sponsorship of female facial plastic surgeons for the future. As a graduating facial plastic & reconstructive surgery fellow and as a woman, I look forward to the response to this publication and anticipate it leading the way for a stronger and unified future organization.”

About the Journal
Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine is a multispecialty peer-reviewed journal with the key mission of providing physicians with the most accurate and innovative information in the discipline of reconstructive and cosmetic facial plastic interventions. Led by Editor-in-Chief Travis T. Tollefson, MD, MPH, University of California, Davis, the Journal publishes significant peer-reviewed articles on all aspects of reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the head and neck. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine is the official publication of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc., the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, and the International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgery Societies. For more information and a sample issue, please visit the Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine website.

About the Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a global media company dedicated to creating, curating, and delivering impactful peer-reviewed research and authoritative content services to advance the fields of biotechnology and the life sciences, specialized clinical medicine, and public health and policy. For complete information, please visit the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. website.