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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0BMC Medical Education

Female leadership across ophthalmology subspecialties: a cross-sectional study of academic leadership roles

  • Ana M. Montoya Zuluaga1
  • Meghan K. Berkenstock2
  1. 1Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA USA
  2. 2The Wilmer Eye Institute, Division of Ocular Immunology, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
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Abstract

Background: Gender representation in academic leadership varies across medical specialties and leadership roles. This study examined female representation among department chairs and residency program directors across ophthalmology subspecialties in U.S. academic institutions.

Methods: Data on department chairs and residency program directors were obtained from the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and updated to January 1, 2025. Female representation was calculated by determining the proportion of women in leadership roles within department chairs and residency program directors across ophthalmology subspecialties. Chi-square goodness-of-fit and Fisher exact tests were used to evaluate differences in gender representation.

Results: A total of 117 academic ophthalmology programs were included. Female representation was significantly lower among department chairs (18.8%, p = 0.046) than residency program directors (44.4%, p = 0.752). Gender representation varied across ophthalmology subspecialties, with uveitis being the only subspecialty showing a statistically significant difference among program directors (0%, p = 0.041).

Conclusions: Women are significantly underrepresented among ophthalmology department chairs overall. Representation among residency program directors did not differ significantly from expected benchmarks, with the exception of uveitis program directors. Continued efforts are needed to support gender equity in academic ophthalmology leadership.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{zuluaga2026female,
  title = {{Female leadership across ophthalmology subspecialties: a cross-sectional study of academic leadership roles}},
  author = {Ana M. Montoya Zuluaga and Meghan K. Berkenstock},
  journal = {BMC Medical Education},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1186/s12909-026-10031-1},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-10031-1},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Female leadership across ophthalmology subspecialties: a cross-sectional study of academic leadership roles
AU  - Ana M. Montoya Zuluaga
AU  - Meghan K. Berkenstock
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/30
JO  - BMC Medical Education
DO  - 10.1186/s12909-026-10031-1
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-10031-1
AB  - Background: Gender representation in academic leadership varies across medical specialties and leadership roles. This study examined female representation among department chairs and residency program directors across ophthalmology subspecialties in U.S. academic institutions.  Methods: Data on department chairs and residency program directors were obtained from the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and updated to January 1, 2025. Female representation was calculated by determining the proportion of women in leadership roles within department chairs and residency program directors across ophthalmology subspecialties. Chi-square goodness-of-fit and Fisher exact tests were used to evaluate differences in gender representation.  Results: A total of 117 academic ophthalmology programs were included. Female representation was significantly lower among department chairs (18.8%, p = 0.046) than residency program directors (44.4%, p = 0.752). Gender representation varied across ophthalmology subspecialties, with uveitis being the only subspecialty showing a statistically significant difference among program directors (0%, p = 0.041).  Conclusions: Women are significantly underrepresented among ophthalmology department chairs overall. Representation among residency program directors did not differ significantly from expected benchmarks, with the exception of uveitis program directors. Continued efforts are needed to support gender equity in academic ophthalmology leadership.
SN  - 1472-6920
ER  -