Women in Thoracic Surgery Scholarship: Impact on Career Path and Interest in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Abstract

Background: Women remain underrepresented in cardiothoracic surgery (CTS). In 2005, Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS) began offering scholarships to promote engagement of women in CTS careers. This study explores the effect of WTS scholarships on CTS career milestones.

Methods: We assessed career development using the number of awardees matching into CTS residency/fellowship, American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) certification, and academic CTS appointment. Scholarship awardee data were obtained from our WTS database. Comparison data were gathered from the National Residency Match Program and ABTS. Details of the current roles of ABTS-certified women were determined from public resources. Qualitative results were gathered from post-scholarship surveys.

Results: A total of 106 WTS scholarships have been awarded to 38 medical students (36%), 41 general surgery residents (39%), and 27 CTS residents/fellows (25%). Among medical students, 26% of awardees entered integrated CTS residency (vs <0.1% for medical students, P < .001), and 37% entered general surgery residency (vs 4.8% for medical students, P < .001). Of general surgery awardees, 59% entered CTS fellowships (vs 7.7% for general surgery residents, P < .001), and of CTS resident/fellow awardees, 100% earned ABTS certification (vs 73% ABTS pass rate, P = .01). Of ABTS-certified awardees, 44% are practicing cardiothoracic surgeons at US academic training institutions (vs 33% of non-awardee ABTS-certified women, P = .419). All awardees reported that their scholarship was valuable in their development.

Conclusions: Receipt of a WTS scholarship is associated with successful pursuit of CTS career milestones at significantly higher rates than contemporaries. These scholarships foster a supportive community for women trainees in CTS.