Celebrating 15 Years of the Women in Otolaryngology Section

Amelia F. Drake, MD, Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Section Historian, on behalf of the WIO Section

Dating back to the late 1800s, women otolaryngologists have been instrumental in establishing the fields of laryngology and otology in the United States, including advancing instrument development and techniques of bronchoscopy, sinus procedures, and others. However, their success in the specialty has been marked by significant barriers. The publication of the Flexner Report in 1910 led to women being largely excluded from medical school admission for nearly 30 years.¹ In the 1930s, women began to re-enter medicine in the U.S., and many achieved recognition for their teaching, leadership, and mentoring.

Today, women represent approximately 50% of medical school classes and are increasingly entering surgical specialties.² This short essay documents the organizational advances made by women in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and celebrates 15 years of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Section.

The WIO Section was born out of a compelling need to collaborate, strengthen, and educate women and men in the specialty. Numerous trailblazers have spoken about their early experiences—sharing how mentoring and increased visibility for women otolaryngologists were still sorely lacking in the late 20^th century. Initial meetings were an opportunity for women to meet other women in a predominantly male-dominated surgical field and discuss ways to improve the working environment for all. Starting as a committee at the AAO-HNSF 1999 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, the group ultimately became an Academy section in 2010. Over the past 15 years, membership has grown dramatically—as has the sense of inclusion among women learners and aspiring women surgeons.

One reason the section founders sought to become a more formal organization was that the prevailing institutions—medical schools, residency, and practice settings—presented unique challenges for women. There was a sense of urgency to discuss and address differential mentoring, payment parity, and other career opportunities. The AAO-HNSF 2010 Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, became the pivotal moment when women in the specialty first formally convened to establish a section within the Academy and create by-laws after years of informal meetings. Since then, WIO has provided numerous leadership opportunities for women and promoted their participation in panels and presentations that have historically underrepresented women’s voices.

In 2020, the AAO-HNS produced a History of Women in Otolaryngology Exhibit at the Academy’s headquarters to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the WIO Section. Watch a historic video timeline showcasing the impact of women throughout the history of the specialty. 

The WIO Endowment, established together with the Section in 2010, helps sustain and grow a vital source of funding needed to support projects including research grants, webinars and podcasts, online learning tools, professional skills training, and local WIO organizations. These activities continue to lay the foundation for the next generation of women in otolaryngology. Since the endowment began awarding grants in 2017, over $100,000 has been awarded.

Although progress has been substantial, there is more work to be done. While the number of women in the specialty continues to increase, implicit bias, compensation disparities, and barriers to leadership are still present. Many residency programs have begun holding local WIO events to discuss off-topic subjects (such as ergonomics for women surgeons) that, while not part of a “traditional” curriculum, provide great value.

The joy of being part of the WIO Section and the larger Academy is the recognition that women bring value to their roles—as physicians, mentors, and colleagues. We can share this joy together. The increasing presence and visibility of women in our field is strengthening our discipline for all.³

As the WIO Section celebrates 15 years of progress, we recognize the leaders who have shaped its journey and continue to inspire future generations. Their contributions ensure that women's voices in otolaryngology will remain at the forefront of the specialty for years to come.

References

1. Joseph MM, Ahasic AM, Clark J, Templeton K; State of Women in Medicine: History, Challenges, and the Benefits of a Diverse Workforce. Pediatrics September 2021; 148 (Supplement 2): e2021051440C. 10.1542/peds.2021-051440C
2. Linscheid LJ, Holliday EB, Ahmed A, Somerson JS, Hanson S, Jagsi R, et al. (2020) Women in academic surgery over the last four decades. PLoS ONE 15(12): e0243308. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243308
3. DeSisto NG, Sharma RK, Longino ES, et al. You Can’t Be What You Can’t See: The Progression of Women in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/01455613241282610