Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
I would like to be involved in assisting the career development of female otolaryngologists, including myself, and those considering careers in otolaryngology. The WIO Section provides great opportunities for networking and mentoring. I have been involved in the OtoWLS Leadership Program since last year, and this has been a very positive experience. Dr Mona Abaza has done a wonderful job of orchestrating this program. I have served as the Otolaryngology department leader for Diversity and Inclusion and am researching the gender disparity in our field and in Laryngology. In ENT Today Dr. Sujana Chandrasekhar beautifully stated “Women in all fields, including otolaryngology, are subjected to the psychic assault of what have become known as ‘manels’—male-only panels at scientific meetings. At this point, with the number of accomplished women in our rolls, the picture of four or six or eight men pontificating from the stage while expert women sit in the audience is more irksome than ever.” I could not agree more with this statement, and hope to make a change along with the other strong women in the WIO.
