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Barbara Murphy, M.D., director of the Pain and Symptom Management Program at Vanderbilt-Ingram and a head and neck cancer specialist, said she wouldn't call it a glass ceiling. "It's more like a porous surface. People can get through, it just takes more effort," Murphy said.
Sandra Horning, M.D., past president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and professor of Medicine in the Divisions of Medical Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation at Stanford University, said there were no female role models when she went through her residency training. "We were a scarce breed in those days," she said. "It was very notable, because you did stand out in everything that you did. A team would almost always consist of you and all men. You felt you were not just representing yourself, but all women."
In her role at ASCO, Horning was still carving a new path for women, to some degree. She was only the fourth female president of the organization. "It's not too many. You do feel some of that pressure and responsibility."
Lynn Matrisian, Ph.D., chair of Cancer Biology at Vanderbilt-Ingram and former president of the American Association for Cancer Research, said she has felt the same kind of pressure serving on a national level. "I guess I often feel that I have to speak louder to be heard, but I haven't really felt like I've bumped into a glass ceiling," she said.
Even today, female physicians say certain fields are more open and accepting to women. In the past, the options were even fewer. "When I was in medical school there were many specialties where women didn't exist. You were basically told what fields you shouldn't apply for," said Murphy. "Even now, you can walk into rooms where you, as a female physician, are one of the few women in the room," she added.
Gender Bending
Meszoely said she's dealt with gender bias, both in a positive and negative way. When she was searching for a job, everyone wanted a female breast surgeon, to her benefit. "But after struggling through residency to be equal to the guys, it was ironic to choose a specialty where female surgeons are often pigeonholed," she said. "Surgeons are kind of a macho group of people, and to depart from that image by choosing a career that is considered less technically demanding, was difficult because of that mind-set. Many of my peers would consider my specialty choice as compromising."
Horning agreed. "In my opinion, it is true that women still
face important issues with regard to biases and the way in which that can influence your ability to lead until you have proven yourself," said Horning.
Murphy said the gender bias issues still slip into the workplace. "Men and women communicate differently. As a woman, you can be seen as weak if you don't make your requests or expectations clear. On the other hand, if you are forceful, you may be characterized as being 'bitchy'. What is seen as strength in a man is often seen as 'bitchiness' in women. It's a catch 22," she said.
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