Race and sex diversity in Canadian academic surgical societies

• Published in: World journal of surgery Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 807 - 815
• Main Authors: Valji, Rahim H., Valji, Yasmin, Turner, Simon R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2024
• Subjects: cardiac surgery; diversity; general surgery; general surgery; cardiac surgery; diversity
• ISSN: 0364-2313; 1432-2323
• DOI: 10.1002/wjs.12114

Background It is vital for national professional surgical societies to embrace diversity, inclusion, and equity. This study examines race and sex diversity in two Canadian surgical societies. Methods Websites of the Canadian Society of Cardiac Surgeons (CSCS) and the Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) and previous programs of their annual meetings were reviewed. Leadership positions, conference speakers, and award winners were categorized by race and sex. Results White males made up the largest category of Cardiac Surgery meeting speakers (73/142 [51%]), CAGS committee members (89/198 [45%]), CAGS past presidents (38/43 [88%]), and General Surgery meeting speakers (841/1472 [57%]). Of the 17 members that made up the CSCS board of directors and officers, 8 were White males (47%), 5 were BIPOC males (29%), 3 were White females (18%), and 1 was a BIPOC female (6%). Of the 42 members of the CAGS board of directors and advisory committee, 16 were White males (38%), 5 were BIPOC males (12%), 17 were White females (40%), and 4 were BIPOC females (10%). Conclusions BIPOC individuals and females are underrepresented in both societies compared to White males. However, in CAGS, improvements in representation can be seen in recent years. It is important that both of these organizations continue to embrace diversity.