No seat at the table? Make your own D*MN table. | Dr. Pamela Mehta | TEDxCulverCity

TL;DR

A female orthopedic surgeon shares her journey of facing gender bias in the field and how she created her own successful practice.

Transcript

thank you [Applause] four years at a prestigious College followed by four years at a top-ranked medical school afterwards a five-year Orthopedic surgical residency at an Ivy League school 13 years of training behind me and at my very first interview at my very first big girl job the first question I was asked was who are you to which I responded I'... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤦‍♀️ Gender bias persists in the field of medicine, with women facing discrimination and lack of support from male colleagues.
• 👩‍⚕️ Creating a supportive network and safe spaces is crucial for empowering women in medicine and promoting work-life balance.
• 🤦‍♀️ Women in medicine face challenges such as outdated maternity leave policies and the expectation that they prioritize their careers over family responsibilities.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Individual determination, perseverance, and support from allies are essential to overcome biases and succeed in male-dominated fields.
• 🧔‍♀️ Social media platforms can serve as powerful tools for empowering women and advocating for gender equality.
• 😷 The pandemic has exacerbated existing issues, leading to more women leaving the medical workforce due to increased caregiving responsibilities.
• 🤗 Encouraging open discussions, embracing diverse cultures, and valuing the whole person can enhance workplace productivity and foster a supportive environment.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker face gender bias during her job interviews?

During her interviews, the speaker experienced discrimination as male colleagues questioned her abilities and expressed concerns about her potential pregnancy. She was not offered support like her male counterparts.

Q: How did the speaker overcome these challenges?

The speaker took odd jobs, joined a practice, and eventually started her own practice. She focused on marketing to female providers and shifted her practice hours to accommodate her family responsibilities.

Q: Why did the speaker start her social media platforms?

Initially intended for marketing her practice, her social media presence quickly turned into a platform to empower women in medicine. She started addressing topics such as work-life balance, career advice, and combating misinformation.

Q: What data supports the existence of a crisis for women in medicine?

The speaker highlights that 40% of women in medicine leave or go part-time within six years of completing their training. The pandemic further exposed the flaws in the system, leading to more women leaving due to increased burdens at home.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker recounts facing gender bias during job interviews, with male colleagues unwilling to support her. Only 6% of orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. are women.

• Despite the challenges, she persevered, took odd jobs, and eventually designed her practice based on her own values. She defied expectations and succeeded as a surgeon.

• The speaker emphasizes the need to create safe spaces and support networks for women in medicine due to the crisis of women leaving the workforce, especially during the pandemic.