J. A. Cook1, S. E. Sasor1, S. P. Duquette1, T. A. Evans1, S. S. Tholpady1,2, M. W. Chu1,2 1Indiana University School Of Medicine,Division Of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery,Indianapolis, IN, USA 2R.L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center,Division Of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery,Indianapolis, IN, USA
Introduction: Effective leaders are critically important to the success of a surgical division. The purpose of this study is to identify trends in academic plastic and general surgery division chairs.
Methods: Chairmen from Accreditation College for Graduate Medical Education-approved general and plastic surgery programs were evaluated for gender, advanced degrees, fellowship completion, national society leadership positions, and National Institute of Health (NIH) funding.
Results: Seventy-three plastic surgery and 236 general surgery programs were identified. The majority of surgeons in leadership positions were males with M.D. degrees in both plastic surgery (92%, 100%) and general surgery (95%, 98%). Thirteen plastic surgeons (18%) and 43 general surgeons (18%) had advanced degrees in addition to their medical degree. Plastic surgery leaders were significantly more likely to have a Ph.D. degree (12.3%) compared to general surgeons (6.3%, p = 0.02). General surgery chairs had a significantly higher proportion of Masters Degrees (12% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.02), Plastic surgery chairs were more likely to be fellowship trained (90%) than general surgeons (78%, p = 0.02). Presidential positions in national societies were held by significantly more plastic surgery leaders (41%) compared to general surgery leaders (15%, p < 0.01). Overall, 27% percent of division chairs had active NIH funding – there was no difference between plastic and general surgeons.
Conclusion: The choice in leadership plays a vital role in the development of a surgical division. Divisions should make efforts in increasing diversity and supporting advanced training for faculty members.