Pittsburgh Review

Pittsburgh's Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) marked International Women’s Day by hosting students from Avonworth High School to witness an all-female surgical team performing cardiac surgery. The event was part of AGH's Open Heart Surgery Observation Program, aimed at encouraging students to pursue careers in medicine.

The surgery, led by Dr. Candice Lee, a cardiothoracic surgeon at AGH, involved a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure. This technique is used to create a new blood flow pathway for the heart muscle by bypassing blocked coronary arteries. The all-female team included various specialists such as a cardiac fellow and anesthesiologist.

Dr. Lee emphasized the significance of having an all-female team in the operating room, noting that women are underrepresented in surgical specialties. She expressed hope that the event would inspire young women to achieve their career goals in medicine.

The initiative reflects a broader movement advocating for more female representation in medicine. Despite progress, data indicates that women comprise less than 17% of surgeons within the most common surgical specialties.

International Women’s Day on March 8 is part of Women’s History Month and celebrates women's achievements while advocating for gender equality globally.