HF01-07: Through the Retrospectoscope: Contributions of Early Female Urologists
Friday, May 3, 2024 2:32 PM to 2:39 PM · 7 min. (US/Central)
206
Abstract
History of Urology Forum
Information
Full Abstract and Figures
Author Block
Susanna Wang*, Grand Rapids, MI, Keow Mei Goh, Ann Arbor, MI
Introduction
Urology has one of the highest gender gaps of all medical specialties. Despite an 11-fold increase in female urology residents from 1978 to 2013, the American Urological Association (AUA) 2020 census data found that women comprised only 10% of the entire urological workforce. The presence of women in urology dates back to the 10th century, when the pathway for the future of women in urology began to be paved.
Methods
N/A.
Results
Early evidence of women in urology was documented in 1000 AD when Albucasis, known as the father of operative surgery, described techniques for calculi in virgin women and the importance of female midwives performing the lithotomy. In the 11th century, Trotula di Ruggiero, regarded as the first female physician in recorded medical history, conducted studies on urine and prescribed treatments for urinary infections and stone diseases. In the 1800s, women in the United States received medical education but were regarded as “hen medics” and were not allowed to dissect male genitalia for fear it would “injure a woman’s character”. Instead, they learned male anatomy from paper-mâché models. Despite their restricted formal training, multiple women contributed to the advancement of urological care: in 1878, Dr. Anna Broomall created a lithotrite connected to a dental drill to break large bladder calculi; in 1890, Dr. Mary Jacobi published her theory of urethral syndrome in The Lancet. Dr. Mary MacGregor became the first female formally trained in urology in 1928 at the New York Infirmary, where she later served as the first female chief of urology. She was followed by Dr. Rosemary Shoemaker from Mayo Clinic in 1938. However, much of her training was in the pathology laboratory due to a restriction that forbade pregnant women from working on the urology service. The American Board of Urology (ABU) finally certified Dr. Elizabeth Pickett in 1962 and Dr. Mary Louise Gannon in 1975. At the 1980 AUA meeting in San Francisco, five female urologists met for breakfast. Upon discovering shared frustrations and experiences, they informally began the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU). At the time, there were 22 female urologists in the United States, including 11 residents. SWIU now has over 300 board-certified female urologists and continues the tradition of a breakfast meeting at the annual AUA meeting to this day.
Conclusions
Despite their contributions to the advancement of urology throughout history, women working in urology faced significant barriers in accessing equitable medical and urologic training. The first woman board-certified in urology happened 28 years after the establishment of the ABU.
Source Of Funding
None.
Author Block
Susanna Wang*, Grand Rapids, MI, Keow Mei Goh, Ann Arbor, MI
Introduction
Urology has one of the highest gender gaps of all medical specialties. Despite an 11-fold increase in female urology residents from 1978 to 2013, the American Urological Association (AUA) 2020 census data found that women comprised only 10% of the entire urological workforce. The presence of women in urology dates back to the 10th century, when the pathway for the future of women in urology began to be paved.
Methods
N/A.
Results
Early evidence of women in urology was documented in 1000 AD when Albucasis, known as the father of operative surgery, described techniques for calculi in virgin women and the importance of female midwives performing the lithotomy. In the 11th century, Trotula di Ruggiero, regarded as the first female physician in recorded medical history, conducted studies on urine and prescribed treatments for urinary infections and stone diseases. In the 1800s, women in the United States received medical education but were regarded as “hen medics” and were not allowed to dissect male genitalia for fear it would “injure a woman’s character”. Instead, they learned male anatomy from paper-mâché models. Despite their restricted formal training, multiple women contributed to the advancement of urological care: in 1878, Dr. Anna Broomall created a lithotrite connected to a dental drill to break large bladder calculi; in 1890, Dr. Mary Jacobi published her theory of urethral syndrome in The Lancet. Dr. Mary MacGregor became the first female formally trained in urology in 1928 at the New York Infirmary, where she later served as the first female chief of urology. She was followed by Dr. Rosemary Shoemaker from Mayo Clinic in 1938. However, much of her training was in the pathology laboratory due to a restriction that forbade pregnant women from working on the urology service. The American Board of Urology (ABU) finally certified Dr. Elizabeth Pickett in 1962 and Dr. Mary Louise Gannon in 1975. At the 1980 AUA meeting in San Francisco, five female urologists met for breakfast. Upon discovering shared frustrations and experiences, they informally began the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU). At the time, there were 22 female urologists in the United States, including 11 residents. SWIU now has over 300 board-certified female urologists and continues the tradition of a breakfast meeting at the annual AUA meeting to this day.
Conclusions
Despite their contributions to the advancement of urology throughout history, women working in urology faced significant barriers in accessing equitable medical and urologic training. The first woman board-certified in urology happened 28 years after the establishment of the ABU.
Source Of Funding
None.
Sessions
History of Urology Forum
206