Dr. Patricia Numann: Moving Surgeons Beyond Sexism

Founded in 1981, the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) is  one of the largest international organizations dedicated to supporting, enhancing the interaction, and facilitating the exchange of information between women surgeons at various stages in their careers, including students and trainees, with more than 4,000 members in more than 50 countries. Who’s the founder behind it all, you may ask? The answer is the one and only trailblazer in combatting sexism in surgery: Dr. Patricia Numann.

Born in New York City in 1941, Numann had always been a medic fanatic. As early as her teenage years, she had worked as a nurse's aide in a hospital, and after high school she went on to  study an undergraduate degree in science at the University of Rochester, a medical degree at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, and a residency in general surgery. However, this journey wasn’t easy, especially due to the gender prejudice evident in the system: the College had admitted fewer than five women per year, displaying a tribute to her own incredible courage and perseverance.

Undaunted but instead motivated by these obstacles faced by competent women professionals, Numann was inspired to personally found the Association of Women Surgeons. This organisation started as Numann invited as many female surgeons as she could identify to breakfast at the October meeting of the American College of Surgeons, in which they shared common experiences, interests, and concerns. This breakfast continued to become an annual event, one that ultimately proved to be one of the key organizations that contributed to the combatting and decisive action in response to offensive language and actions in the surgical field. 

In addition to these immensely inspiring leadership skills, Numann is not any less of a wonderful surgeon, in which she is known to care for her patients from her heart and to teach her students to do the same. Among her clinical colleagues, her team and her patients renown her as legendary completely irrespective of her gender, which has earned her the recognition of being chosen as one of America’s surgical leaders. Formanilities aside, Numann also stands as one of the most inspirational medical figures to young women worldwide, inspiring everyone to not let obstacles stand in their way.

Written by Renee Wang at Incisionary

References

AWS History. (n.d.). Association of Women Surgeons. https://www.womensurgeons.org/history

Trailblazer: Dr. Patricia Numann to move surgeons beyond sexism. (2011, May 19). https://www.syracuse.com/opinion/2011/05/trailblazer_dr_patricia_numann.html