Gender Representation Among Major Plastic Surgery Society Achievement Award Recipients

Purpose: Professional achievement awards are an important factor in recruitment, promotion, and faculty review within academic institutions. Studies have shown that subconscious, gender-based assumptions of individuals their work traditionally male-dominated fields lead to more positive evaluations men than women, a phenomenon present among scientific medical award committees. This study examined gender representation recipients major North American plastic surgery society over the last 50 years. Methods: Recipient lists bestowed by ten Canadian societies between 1970 2020 were accessed online or direct contact with society. Awardee gender, institution affiliation, graduation year, fellowship status, additional received recorded. Comparisons made presidents, board membership, general memberships, attending physicians, residency enrolment. Results: Thirty-two given included. Six hundred twenty-five conferred, which 47 female (7.5%). Of 121 multiple awards, 8 female. Two-thirds awardees (72%) clinical surgeons remainder scientists. Over past years, there has been gradual increase proportion winners. Conclusions: Despite societies, remain underrepresented awardees, less 10% conferred females.