Progress in neurosurgery: Contributions of women neurosurgeons in Latin America

• Published in: Journal of clinical neuroscience Vol. 86; pp. 347 - 356
• Main Authors: Zanon, Nelci, Niquen-Jimenez, Milagros, Kim, Eliana E., Zegarra, Alicia Becerra, Ramírez-Reyes, Alma Griselda, Quiroga, Dunia Patricia, Miller Molina, Ena I., Santana, Nujerling Vargas, Garcia, Roxanna M., Rosseau, Gail
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2021
• Subjects: Gender; History; Latin America; Leadership; Pioneers; Women in neurosurgery; Leadership; Pioneers; Gender; History; Women in neurosurgery; Latin America
• ISSN: 0967-5868; 1532-2653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.01.054

•We identify the first woman neurosurgeon in each country in Latin America.•The first women neurosurgeons in Latin America finished training in the 1950s.•These neurosurgeons have innovated new techniques and established themselves as leaders.•Better policies for gender equity are needed in neurosurgical fields.
Nearly 75 years after the first woman neurosurgeon was trained in Latin America, the field of neurosurgery is changing and the prominence of women neurosurgeons within the specialty is increasing. By researching the histories of individual physicians and neurosurgeons, as well as neurosurgical departments and societies, we present, for the first time, the history of the women in neurosurgery in Latin America. Women neurosurgeons in the region have made notable progress, inspiring subsequent generations and actively participating in organized neurosurgery, medical leadership outside neurosurgery, academic neurosurgery, and leadership in contemporary society. The establishment of “Women in Neurosurgery” networks and organizations has been important to the success of many of these efforts. This collaborative study, which identifies the known women neurosurgeons in Latin America for the first time, may serve to provide background and context for further contributions of women neurosurgeons for our profession and our patients.