Men dominate ortho surgery, but Gaston doctor aims to add diversity
Hand surgeon Dr. Julie Woodside works in a male-dominated specialty. While men account for 63.7% of all doctors, males top 94% when it comes to orthopedic surgery, according to a 2019 report by the American Medical Association, the most significant gender gap for all specialties.
Woodside works at OrthoCarolina offices in Gastonia and Belmont, and while "fitting in with the guys" became the norm in her training, she also would like to see more women join her in orthopedic surgery.
"Orthopedics can be physically hard work -- reducing fractures/large joints, using drills and saws, hammering in joints -- it is physically demanding at times," Woodside said. "Many women do not think, 'I would like to use power tools in my operating room all day,' so, I think that is part of the reason. The other reason is that it typically is only 6% or so women. Would you want to join a group that had so few women, being a woman? Maybe not, maybe you would not feel welcome."
Woodside said she has tried using being one of just a few women in the room to her advantage by standing out in a crowd.
"I jokingly say that the male ortho docs have brute strength, but the female ortho docs know how to use finesse," Woodside said.
The Gazette participated in a question and answer session with Woodside about her career. Some of her answers were lighted edited. The Gazette also saved a question about Woodside's other venture, The Hobbyist, a coffee, beer, wine and cocktail shop in Charlotte's NoDa neighborhood.
First, an introduction
Woodside grew up in the Atlanta area, where she was a swimmer and softball player. She started playing basketball in middle school, and eventually was selected to Oglethorpe University Hall of Fame for basketball. She would earn her medical degree in 2009, four years after graduating from Atlanta's Oglethorpe University, from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
She's the first doctor in her family. As many athletes are, she was drawn to orthopedics. "It has a real team feel and camaraderie. The act of fixing things -- tendons, bones, joints, was very rewarding," she said.
Was it hard being the lone woman?
"I believe our medical school was probably close to 50/50 men and women, or at least60/40. Most of our teachers and professors were male. I do not think there was a female ortho resident or attending at my medical school when I was attending. The cliché of “fitting in with the guys” is kind of how it was, which I didn’t mind, as I felt they made great friends and teachers.
"I did feel like I stood out in the room. I tried to use that to my advantage. When you are interviewing with 50 other very smart and talented men, being one of a couple women, I would hope they would remember the one or two women in the crowd that were also very talented, smart and well-spoken when they were making their selections."
What about at OrthoCarolina?
"I matched into orthopedic surgery residency in Charlotte, really one of the best residencies in the country. I was their first female resident in about eight years, not for lack of trying, but it is hard for a woman to want to go to a program with no other females. I think the guys were nervous at first to have me around, but I quickly earned theirrespect and friendship by being a hard worker and an eager physician.
"Dr. Steve Frick, the program director at the time, really wanted to increase the diversity in our program, and he was very supportive of me, and went out of his way to do little things to show his support. For example, one day he handed me a poster mailer and inside was one of those posters -- the one from World War II “She can do it” posters. The American Association for Orthopedic Surgery in conjunction with Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society(founded to support and network female orthopedic surgeons) put out one that said atthe bottom “Orthopedic surgery is womens’ work, too” and I still have that on my wallin my office today."
How did men react?
"I will tell you a little personal story because it sometimes takes something bad happening to know how much your colleagues care about you. When I was a fourth year (out of five years) resident, I was diagnosed with a tumor in my humerus, near the shoulder. Doctors found it after I hurt my shoulder weightlifting.
"In October of 2012, I underwent surgery for that cancer. I was in the hospital for five days. Every resident came in day and night to check on me. Following that surgery, I came back to work and then within six weeks had to have my shoulder repaired. Having two surgeries while also trying not to miss any of my residency training really took a toll on my body. I was getting sick (my immune system was shot) and I did not really see another way I could make it except to maybe take a leave of absence.
"I was up in the orthopedic office and one of my chiefs (resident in his last year) and I were talking and I told him, 'look my body is run down, I am barely making it and just don’t think I can do it. I think I need a leave of absence to make it through.' And he looked at me and said “Julie, don’t do it -- every single one of us is with you and behind you, we will help you get through each day and get you through this.'
"He probably has no idea the level of true support and love I felt at that moment, and how much I needed that ― because we did ― we got through it! Even though orthopedics is a traditional “boys club” and all the “jocks” and all the other things they say about it ― when you are in it, those guys are your colleagues, and your partners, and your work family just as much as any other specialty."
Why is diversity important?
"Increasing diversity will do many things. Number one, being inclusive you are opening your doors to getting the best people regardless of sex or culture, your program and practice will soar as you make the diverse population you serve also feel like they are being cared for by a diverse group.
"The culture will feel supportive and open as it should, not closed off and restrictive. Providing an environment where differences are cherished and valued, is one where learning, teaching, and advancement in medicine will thrive.
"Sometimes just putting it out there that you are accepting and not only accepting but want to, desire, you are thrilled to welcome change ― that’s the place to start.
"I have participated in Nth dimensions, which is a group that does exposure days by bringing in high school and college students to meet with you and work on orthopedics to try and increase exposure of orthopedic surgery to females and minorities. Introducing it, making it fun, and showing them, they can be a part of the orthopedic family, is a great first step."
You also have a woman physician's assistant, why?
"I am definitely not against a male PA, but I have found that we do create this dynamic team that is really effective at caring for my patients. I want my patients to feel and be cared for, in the best way possible. That happened to be with two super star PAs, that are both women, that I have been blessed to work with in my eight-year career so far in Gastonia.
In 2023, do patients care about a doctor's gender?
"It’s a tough one to answer. We all have those stories where everyone assumes you are a nurse and their first question when they see a woman in scrubs may be 'Oh, what kind of nurse are you?' It'’s never 'what kind of doctor are you?'
"Honestly, at this point it makes me chuckle, and then I take the best care of them I can and show them that female or not, I will hopefully be one of the best surgeons they’ve ever had. Or at least I am trying to be.
"I also have patients that actually want female doctors. Do they may think our empathy is greater or bedside manner is better, I am not sure, but I have heard that from many patients."
What about The Hobbyist?
"My husband and I opened The Hobbyist almost four years ago! What a wild ride it’s been having no business experience for either of us, we have been drinking from the water hose.
"It’s a specialty coffee, beer wine and cocktail shop near NODA in Charlotte. Beer and coffee have always been two of my husband’s passions. The vibe is a little vintage, industrial and we have live music on Friday nights ― acoustic singers/guitarists, or small bands, jazz or eclectic.
"We have the idea that you can get your tea or coffee in the morning and come back later to have beer or wine with your friends at the end of the day.
"It’s also given us the opportunity to meet and hopefully mentor a host of 21-30ish year old wonderful people that we have had as staff. I always tell them, that when they leave us to move on to other jobs, I want them to have learned more from us than just how to make coffee and pour beer. I want to help them be successful in their work and lives in the future as well, so I find that aspect very rewarding."
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Men dominate ortho surgery, but Gaston doctor aims to add diversity
