Canadian Women in Neurosurgery: From Early Pioneers to World Leaders

Enriqueta Lúcar Figueroa, Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: ketty.lucar@gmail.com.
Catherine Veilleux, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Lilyana Angelov, Department of Neurologic Surgery, Neurologic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Susan Brien, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Marie-Pierre Fournier-Gosselin, Division of Neurosurgery, Université de Montréal, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Zelma H. Kiss, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Marie Long, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Judith Marcoux, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Katherine Poon, Division of Neurosurgery, Centre intégré de santé et des services sociaux de l'Outaouais, McGill University, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.
Shirley Stiver, Division of Neurosurgery, Centre intégré de santé et des services sociaux de l'Outaouais, McGill University, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.
Eve Tsai, Division of Neurosurgery, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Sarah Woodrow, Department of Neurological Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Akron, Ohio, USA.
Gelareh Zadeh, Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Gail Rosseau, Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Global Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-1-2023

Journal

World neurosurgery

Volume

175

DOI

10.1016/j.wneu.2023.03.105

Keywords

Canadian women in neurosurgery; Gender disparity; Women in surgery; Workplace culture

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Since the emergence of neurosurgery as a distinct specialty ∼100 years ago in Canada, it took >40 years for Canadian women to enter the field in the province of Quebec, and longer in the other provinces. METHODS: We provide a historical overview of Canadian women in neurosurgery, from the early pioneers to the modern-day leaders and innovators in the field. We also define the current participation of women in Canadian neurosurgery. Chain-referral sampling, historical books, interviews, personal communications, and online resources were used as data sources. RESULTS: Our historical review highlights the exceptional journey and unique experiences of female neurosurgeons, describes their achievements, and identifies career obstacles and enabling factors. We also incorporate comments from Canadian female neurosurgeons, both retired and in active practice, addressing gender inequities in the field, and provide advice and encouragement to the new generations to come. Despite the achievements of these female trailblazers, women represent a small proportion of the Canadian neurosurgery trainees and the active workforce, in stark contrast to the increasing number of women in medical school. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first historical overview of female women neurosurgeons in Canada. Providing a historical context will help us to better understand the important role of women in modern neurosurgery, identify persistent gender issues in the field, and provide a vision for aspiring female neurosurgeons.

Department

Neurological Surgery

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