SCAI 2026 Women in Innovations-Review of Current Literature of Paucity of Women in Leadership, Dr. Yong

Review of Current Literature of Paucity of Women in Leadership, Dr. Yong

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker describes realizing the gender imbalance in interventional cardiology after encountering a “reverse bathroom sign” at a conference. She presents data showing women remain underrepresented in medicine and especially cardiology leadership, with only 4% of interventional cardiology program directors and 5% of division chiefs being women. Women are less likely to become full professors, lead trials, or enter interventional cardiology, despite strong interest. Major barriers include discrimination, lack of role models, radiation concerns, physical demands, and inflexible career structures. The talk also highlights workplace discrimination, harassment, and the career impact of pregnancy. Suggested solutions include mandatory radiation-protection devices, transparent reporting of pay and workload, zero tolerance for harassment, flexible training and employment pathways, and stronger promotion of women in leadership and trial roles. The discussion that followed emphasized referral bias, work-life balance, generational shifts, the role of male allies, and the importance of mentorship and community-building for women in cardiology.

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Keywords

gender imbalance

interventional cardiology

women in medicine

cardiology leadership

workplace discrimination

mentorship and inclusion