New HUB Session at ACFAS Addresses Gender Disparities

Jennifer Spector, DPM, FACFAS, Assistant Editorial Director

02/08/2023

A new HUB session at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Annual Scientific Conference (ACFAS ASC) plans to bring members together to discuss how to enhance opportunities for and increase involvement of female members of the College, to the benefit of both the physician and their patients. Podiatry Today had the opportunity to discuss the session with one of its faculty and an attendee planning on participating in anticipation of the event.

Lisa Levick, DPM, FACFAS, one of the faculty for this session, says the 2020 paper by Brower and colleagues¹ was rather enlightening, but not surprising, and is part of the inspiration she feels for participating in this discussion.

“With increased published data, online forums and even advertisements on social media, there continues to be a large discrepancy between men and women (with respect to their) involvement in (medical) education,” she says.

Dr. Levick stresses that this session at the ACFAS ASC is focusing on strategies to increase female involvement in the College, and is not a negative commentary on its male members, who she cites as incredibly supportive in the organization.

“For years in our field, many women have experienced sexual harassment, gender discrimination and lack of leadership opportunities,” she explains. “With the help of strong female leadership within the College, audience members will be able to participate and collaborate on how we can strengthen our voice, our education, and our overall well-being within our profession.”

She notes that some topics of discussion will include professional branding, fellowship training, and volunteering for committees. Additionally, she shares that ACFAS will be holding its first annual Virtual Women’s Symposium in April, for which she feels this HUB session will be a great lead-in.

“I think the most valuable part of these discussions will be the ones that the audience members initiate,” adds Dr. Levick. “The input of how we can shift the current paradigm will be imperative in strengthening the College.”

From an attendee’s perspective, Maryellen Brucato, DPM, FACFAS feels this is an important step towards gender inclusivity that could address the concern in the Brower, et al paper. (1) She says she is looking forward to the contributions of the planned faculty (Thanh Dinh, DPM, FACFAS, Brandi Johnson, DPM, FACFAS, Marie Keplinger, DPM, FACFAS, Lisa Levick, DPM, FACFAS, and Laura Sansosti, DPM, FACFAS). Specifically, she hopes to hear discussion on discrimination and harassment in the workplace, so that those that have experienced it can feel less alone.

Dr. Brucato adds that an important topic could be the status of and actions against disparities in board certification, faculty and director appointments, and speaking positions.

When it comes to equity in representation, “I want to find out how we get ourselves there,” she says.

Any member of the College who is interested in becoming more involved, learning about diversifying leadership and wishing to have an open and honest discussion with female leaders should attend this session, says Dr. Brucato. She also feels that anyone interested in diversity, equity, and inclusion of all kinds will likely find this productive and interesting.

“I am glad that the College is taking progressive steps to the future so one day our daughters will have the same opportunities that our sons do,” she says.

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