Doctors Take the Mic

What is Gender and what about gender equity in the field of Surgery? In one survey, women surgeons in Michigan reveal that women surgeons are facing barriers to leadership positions. It could be implicit bias or the nature of the requirements that do not take into account that women take time off for pregnancy and maternity leave. The work-life balance for women is difficult for women in surgery. These issues lead to attrition. Other surgical programs mention similar problems.

The statistics about women in academic medicine and the numbers are low. While 50% of all medical classes are women, this is not reflected in the leadership of Medical Schools. For example deans of medical schools, and tenured faculty are in the 20% range or less. This is the same in the United Kingdom as well.

The new variant of Omicron XBB.1.5 is very infectious, began in India in August 2022 and spread through South East Asia. It is now in New England, New York and New Jersey. 82% of the new cases in the Northeast is due to this variant XBB.1.5.

Paxlovid and the bivalent booster is protective and so please consider the booster shot. Paxlovid is still free in CVS and Walgreens and all the major pharmacy chains.

DxTerity, a saliva based "at home" COVID test kit does not do well in testing for the new variants or XBB, BA.2.75 or BNI.

Thus if you have symptoms but test negative, please wear a mask, as advised by the CDC.