Why Aren’t There More Women in Reconstructive Surgery?

If you’ve ever struggled to find a female doctor, whether for a routine checkup or a more complex procedure, you’re not alone. Women make up a small fraction of surgeons, especially in plastic surgery, and the reasons behind this imbalance are complex. From barriers to medical education to a lack of mentorship, the path to becoming a reconstructive surgeon has traditionally been more difficult for women.

Some programs are working to change that. The Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery (PWRS) Program, a collaboration between SkinCeuticals and ReSurge International, has been quietly training and supporting female surgeons in countries where they have been nearly nonexistent. Since launching in 2017, it has helped produce the first female plastic surgeons in seven nations, including Bhutan, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The newly released PWRS Report highlights the program’s growing impact. According to the report projections, PWRS-trained surgeons and scholars will treat over 17,100 patients annually. Their influence extends beyond individual patients, as they train and mentor the next generation of surgeons. This reach could impact 2.4 million patients over time.

The program’s long-term effect is even greater. It expects graduates to reach as many as 10 million people throughout their careers. This number underscores just how much access to surgical training can change lives.

“The PWRS Report underscores the profound change that our program is driving in global reconstructive aesthetic care,” says Eve Arnera, SVP of Business Development & Global Marketing at SkinCeuticals. “By empowering first-generation female reconstructive surgeons with world-class training and mentorship, we’re not only advancing gender equity in medicine but also expanding access to life-changing procedures for those who need them most.”

While the plastic surgery field remains male-dominated, programs like PWRS are proving that real change is possible. For patients and future surgeons alike, the impact of this initiative is already felt.