Life Lessons from Leaders: A Talk with the Women Chairs of Otolaryngology
Erika A. Woodson, MD, Cleveland Clinic Foundation for the Women in Otolaryngology Section Although women are entering residency in increasing numbers, there are still few women otolaryngologists with high rank within academic medicine. I interviewed the current U.S. women chairs in otolaryngology to highlight them and to make their accomplishments seem accessible and desirable to young women in our specialty. I am grateful for their candor and the support they have for each other and for all women in otolaryngology. All of you have multiple children. How did you balance everything when the children were young? Cherie-Ann O. Nathan, MD, Louisiana State University-Shreveport: Time management, organization, help, and a wonderful husband are keys to balancing work and motherhood. Gayle E. Woodson, MD, University of Southern Illinois: Until our youngest was in junior high, we always tried to have at least two helpers—one living in, an au pair or nanny, plus a housekeeper/cook. Carol R. Bradford, MD, University of Michigan: I made it to most of the kids’ activities by scheduling these events on my calendar. I am still a gymnastics mom to my daughter, a 16-year-old level 9 gymnast. We travel many weekends to gymnastics meets. Do you feel that you put your career advancements or national involvement “on the back burner” when your children were young? Marion E. Couch, MD, PhD, University of Vermont: I do feel that my career did not advance as fast as my male colleagues did while the children were young. As they became older, I returned to my academic career in a big way. Having children made me a “late bloomer” in my career, but my perspective and experience are invaluable to me now. Kathleen L. Yaremchuk, MD, Henry Ford Medical System: My daughter thought MD stood for Mommy Doctor. I think for a period of time I was on the “mommy track” because otolaryngology, as a specialty, was not very welcoming to women, especially women with children. I made it a point to bring my family to conferences and meetings and would bring my mother or husband to help with the kids. At what point do you think a young woman in otolaryngology should get involved at the national level? Almost everyone suggested starting now. Dr. Nathan further recommended that a clinician-scientist prioritize establishing her lab and securing grant funding before getting too involved politically. Do you have a suggestion as to how she should get started? Dr. Yaremchuk: The AAO-HNS WIO is filled with people who have great ideas and showing up is the first step. Dr. Woodson: Volunteer or have someone nominate you for AAO-HNS committees and the Task Force to write questions for the Boards and In-Service. Present as much as possible at national meetings. Identify a niche that you can master as an expert. Dr. Bradford: Network at meetings. Say yes to most opportunities offered. Did you benefit from any mentor, female or male, as you built your career? Can you share with us any important lessons you learned from them? Dr. Nathan: Dr. Jon Glass was a wonderful mentor for my research. Dr. Woodson: Bobby Alford, MD, was a role model that I could emulate in seeing how he interacted with people. Dr. Couch: Drs. Charlie Cummings, Richard Holt, John Saunders, and Janice Clements. Be professional, available, and ethical. Dr. Bradford: A colleague in my department was one of my research mentors throughout my career. There is no limit to what you can accomplish as long as you do not worry about who gets the credit. How do you feel the field of otolaryngology has changed, good or bad, for young women entering it today or choosing it as a career versus when you were entering your training? Dr. Couch: There is still a glass ceiling. There are not enough women in senior leadership. Not enough professors. Dr. Yaremchuk: The increase in number of women in AAO-HNS has been the single biggest help for recruiting medical students and residents to our specialty. [The establishment of] the AAO-HNS Women In Otolaryngology section has been the single biggest event to bring women together and develop processes for the further development of women in otolaryngology. Dr. Woodson: There are many more opportunities and role models now. What do you think about the growing number of young otolaryngologists, particularly women, who may want to work part-time? Dr. Bradford: I believe the new generation places a higher priority on balance, which I think is terrific. I am a strong advocate for professionals to adapt their work environment to meet their personal and professional goals. Dr. Couch: Whatever works for them is the right answer.
Erika A. Woodson, MD, Cleveland Clinic Foundation for the Women in Otolaryngology Section
Although women are entering residency in increasing numbers, there are still few women otolaryngologists with high rank within academic medicine. I interviewed the current U.S. women chairs in otolaryngology to highlight them and to make their accomplishments seem accessible and desirable to young women in our specialty. I am grateful for their candor and the support they have for each other and for all women in otolaryngology.
All of you have multiple children. How did you balance everything when the children were young?
Cherie-Ann O. Nathan, MD, Louisiana State University-Shreveport: Time management, organization, help, and a wonderful husband are keys to balancing work and motherhood.
Gayle E. Woodson, MD, University of Southern Illinois: Until our youngest was in junior high, we always tried to have at least two helpers—one living in, an au pair or nanny, plus a housekeeper/cook.
Carol R. Bradford, MD, University of Michigan: I made it to most of the kids’ activities by scheduling these events on my calendar. I am still a gymnastics mom to my daughter, a 16-year-old level 9 gymnast. We travel many weekends to gymnastics meets.
Do you feel that you put your career advancements or national involvement “on the back burner” when your children were young?
Marion E. Couch, MD, PhD, University of Vermont: I do feel that my career did not advance as fast as my male colleagues did while the children were young. As they became older, I returned to my academic career in a big way. Having children made me a “late bloomer” in my career, but my perspective and experience are invaluable to me now.
Kathleen L. Yaremchuk, MD, Henry Ford Medical System: My daughter thought MD stood for Mommy Doctor. I think for a period of time I was on the “mommy track” because otolaryngology, as a specialty, was not very welcoming to women, especially women with children. I made it a point to bring my family to conferences and meetings and would bring my mother or husband to help with the kids.
At what point do you think a young woman in otolaryngology should get involved at the national level?
Almost everyone suggested starting now. Dr. Nathan further recommended that a clinician-scientist prioritize establishing her lab and securing grant funding before getting too involved politically.
Do you have a suggestion as to how she should get started?
Dr. Yaremchuk: The AAO-HNS WIO is filled with people who have great ideas and showing up is the first step.
Dr. Woodson: Volunteer or have someone nominate you for AAO-HNS committees and the Task Force to write questions for the Boards and In-Service. Present as much as possible at national meetings. Identify a niche that you can master as an expert.
Dr. Bradford: Network at meetings. Say yes to most opportunities offered.
Did you benefit from any mentor, female or male, as you built your career? Can you share with us any important lessons you learned from them?
Dr. Nathan: Dr. Jon Glass was a wonderful mentor for my research.
Dr. Woodson: Bobby Alford, MD, was a role model that I could emulate in seeing how he interacted with people.
Dr. Couch: Drs. Charlie Cummings, Richard Holt, John Saunders, and Janice Clements. Be professional, available, and ethical.
Dr. Bradford: A colleague in my department was one of my research mentors throughout my career. There is no limit to what you can accomplish as long as you do not worry about who gets the credit.
How do you feel the field of otolaryngology has changed, good or bad, for young women entering it today or choosing it as a career versus when you were entering your training?
Dr. Couch: There is still a glass ceiling. There are not enough women in senior leadership. Not enough professors.
Dr. Yaremchuk: The increase in number of women in AAO-HNS has been the single biggest help for recruiting medical students and residents to our specialty. [The establishment of] the AAO-HNS Women In Otolaryngology section has been the single biggest event to bring women together and develop processes for the further development of women in otolaryngology.
Dr. Woodson: There are many more opportunities and role models now.
What do you think about the growing number of young otolaryngologists, particularly women, who may want to work part-time?
Dr. Bradford: I believe the new generation places a higher priority on balance, which I think is terrific. I am a strong advocate for professionals to adapt their work environment to meet their personal and professional goals.
Dr. Couch: Whatever works for them is the right answer.