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  • Item type:Publication,
    Needs and Experiences of United States Female Urology Residents Open PDF 
    (Elsevier BV, 2023-10)
    Sheng, Michelle
    ;
    Chu, Alice
    ;
    Catic, Almira
    ;
    Hartsell, Lindsey
    ;
    Mehta, Akanksha
    Abstract Objective: To identify factors influencing residency training program selection by women residents in urology and to evaluate the residents' gender-based experiences during training. Urology remains a disproportionately male-physician-dominated field. Understanding the needs and experiences of women residents is essential for developing strategies to recruit and retain more women urologists in independent practice. Methods: An anonymous, 15-item web-based electronic survey was posted on social media and distributed via institutional email addresses between May and July 2021, targeted to all 461 current women U.S. urology residents. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and thematic analysis, respectively. Results: 147 complete responses were received. The most important factors influencing initial residency training program selection included geographic location/setting (37%) and institutional reputation (27%), compared to number of women faculty (3.4%) and women residents (0%). However, respondents cited a need for increased presence of women faculty and mentorship (36%), elimination of gender bias/harassment in the workplace (33%), and improved family support/maternity leave policies (15%) during residency to better foster clinical and academic growth of women residents. In interactions with patients, 97% reported not being recognized as a doctor, 84% reported stereotyping of women doctors, and 78% reported experiencing inappropriate treatment/harassment from male patients. Conclusion: Geographic setting and institutional reputation were the most important factors for residency program selection by women urology residents. Although overlooked as a priority during the initial application process, current women urology residents seek increased women faculty presence, leadership and mentorship during residency to foster clinical and academic growth. Women residents face extremely high rates of gender bias and harassment in the workplace. Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Item type:Publication,
    Engaging and Empowering Future Female Surgeons: Development of the Medical Student Section of the Society of Women in Urology Open PDF 
    (Elsevier BV, 2025-10)
    Booher, Allison G.
    ;
    Vereecken, Sasha J.
    ;
    Kim, Erin
    ;
    Penmatcha, Neharika
    ;
    Aponte, Alexandra
    OBJECTIVE: To describe a replicable model for a large-scale, cross-institutional, and student-driven initiative to promote gender equity within surgical fields. METHODS: To address the lack of a national infrastructure to support female medical students pursuing careers in Urology, a historically male-dominated specialty, the society of women in urology (SWIU) established its medical student section, called SWIUdents, as a student-led initiative to offer mentorship, education, and networking resources for future female urologists. In 2022, SWIUdents convened its first medical student leadership board, comprised of two co-chairs and four subcommittees focused on membership, program implementation, mentorship, and community relations. SWIUdents membership was open to medical students of all gender identities, and recruitment for the organization took place via official SWIU communications, social media, and word of mouth. RESULTS: As of April 2025, there are 319 SWIUdents members, 195 of which are current medical students, representing all regional sections of the American Urological Association (AUA), as well as international medical students. In the 2024 to 2025 academic year, SWIUdents paired 87 medical students with resident or faculty members in Urology. SWIUdents also maintains an active social media presence and offers a broad array of programming, with robust attendance at monthly webinars and journal clubs. CONCLUSIONS: This paper outlines the development and infrastructure of SWIUdents, a national, student-driven model which may be replicated by other specialty organizations aiming to engage and empower women and other groups underrepresented within their respective field.