A 5-year Review of Women in Designated Leadership Positions in American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Where Do We Stand?

Abstract

PURPOSE: Despite near equal representation of women in medical schools since 2008, the percentage of women in surgical subspecialties has remained low. Hand surgery accounts for one of the highest percentages of women at 19%, with a steady growth entering the specialty. Ascension to leadership positions has not yet been fully elucidated among this group. Using membership data obtained through the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), our study examines whether increased female representation translated to representation at different levels within the organization. METHODS: The 2014–2018 membership rosters were obtained from ASSH and compared by sex. Leadership and volunteer committee positions were evaluated as published in the annual ASSH Committee Reference Book. Leadership positions were defined as appointment to committee chair, Council or acceptance to the young leader’s program, a development program for Candidate and Active members. RESULTS: Between 2014 and 2018, the percentage of female ASSH members steadily increased from 14% to 17%. The average percent of female members who applied for committee positions was 22% with an average of 18% of applicants occupying a committee position. The average number of committee applications submitted per female applicant was similar to that of their male counterparts (1.31–2.00 versus 1.55–1.97, respectively). Ascension of female members to council ranged from 8% to 31% with the highest percentage during 2015–2016. CONCLUSIONS: There is a steady increase in the percentage of women at every level of ASSH. Female ASSH members applying for leadership positions at a higher rate than their male peers and advanced through the leadership ladder quicker. This may indicate that future women leaders are appropriately supported in the organization. Low representation at the highest levels may be due to a predictable time lag as younger women ascend in the organization.