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. Althoug h the actual training of female surgeons is no different than training male surgeons, academic advancement after training can be more difficult for wo men due to a variety of reasons. The education and training of female surge ons has its origin in admission to medical school followed by recruitment i nto a residency program. Following completion of a residency program, the r etainment of women and men faculty should be the goal of departments and di visions of thoracic surgery. Specific recommendations are made for retainme nt of faculty. In addition to academic promotion and financial reward, crea ting the proper environment is an important consideration to allow women th e chance to succeed in medicine. This report addresses the training aspects involved in the thoracic residency program and the state of professional a cademic advancement at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. (An n Thorac Surg 2001;71:S22-4) (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.