by Dianna M. Burns-Banks, MD
“Some may argue that more women in medicine will adversely
affect the profession. However, I propose that diversity broadens our perspectives and enhances our profession.”
I can remember racing to a C-section at a local hospital and asking where I might change into scrubs only to be directed by the nurse to the “nurses’ lounge.” It was not uncommon for patients to mista-kenly address me, as a female resident, as the nurse and address the male medical student as the doctor.
Even looking back to elementary school discussions of gender, “doctor” was defined as male and “nurse” as female. Society has traditionally designated certain attributes and duties to women and others to men: Wo-men are the caregivers and are, perhaps, thought to sometimes make decisions more with their hearts than their heads. Men, on the other hand, are considered less emotional and felt to be more data driven in their decision-making.
But as we celebrate women in medicine during the month of September, it is refreshing to realize that many of society’s traditionally limited expectations for “little boys and little girls” are being replaced by an open-mindedness that allows every child to dream gender-free.
We have come a long way from the time when Elizabeth Blackwell’s acceptance into medical school was viewed as a practical joke. In 1949, she became the first female to graduate from a medical school and even graduated first in her class. Females now comprise more than 50% of some medical school classes and are active contributors to all medical specialties. Some may argue that more women in medicine will adversely affect the profession. How-ever, I propose that diversity broadens our perspectives and enhances our profession.
Patriarchal attitudes are often difficult to change. As the number of dual career families increases, many of society’s established stereotypic roles for men and women begin to crumble. Maternity leave is now “family” leave. It also is acceptable, if not expected, for a father to be actively involved in the processes of childbirth and child rearing. “Stay-at-home dads” are part of the social norm.
Nontraditional careers now provide unique oppor-tunities for both men and women. Women enter pro-fessional schools in increasing numbers, as do women entering the skilled trades. The single mother now can choose a high paying job as a welder at a construction site rather than a sales clerk job at the local department store. Male nurses and teachers are in high demand. Astronauts, both male and female, now explore space – the final frontier.
Leadership once was considered the exclusive do-main of men, and society generally dictated a dominant role for men in both their personal and business relationships. Many women’s careers were limited by their family obligations and society’s expectation. However, things are changing.
Female physicians have effectively provided leader-ship to the American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association, and several of our local medical societies. Both the British Medical Journal and JAMA have female editors. Seven of the Fortune 500 companies now have female CEOs. Women serve in the United States Congress, hold cabinet positions, and serve as judges on the Supreme Court. The entre-preneurial spirit and business savvy of Oprah Winfrey has established her not just as a woman of influence but also as a person of influence and power without regard to gender.
I recall a 6-year-old little girl who excitedly came into the office several years ago after seeing a television commercial I had done for a local hospital. She very confidently proclaimed, “I can be anything I want to be.”
Would it not be a wonderful world if every little boy’s and little girl’s aspiration was separated from reality only by the willingness to dream?
