Training women surgeons and their academic advancement

The responsibility for those of us involved in residency training programs is to foster the development of future leaders in thoracic surgery. Although the actual training of female surgeons is no different than training male surgeons, academic advancement after training can be more difficult for women due to a variety of reasons. The education and training of female surgeons has its origin in admission to medical school followed by recruitment into a residency program. Following completion of a residency program, the retainment of women and men faculty should be the goal of departments and divisions of thoracic surgery. Specific recommendations are made for retainment of faculty. In addition to academic promotion and financial reward, creating the proper environment is an important consideration to allow women the chance to succeed in medicine. This report addresses the training aspects involved in the thoracic residency program and the state of professional academic advancement at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.