If You Can See It, You Can Be It: Perceptions of Diversity in Surgery Among Under-Represented Minority High School Students

Increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the surgical workforce is essential to improving outcomes for marginalized communities. To address the persistent shortage of under-represented minority (URM) surgeons, this study assessed the impact of providing early exposure to the field of surgery on URM high school students’ perceptions of pursuing surgical careers. The Association of Women Surgeons organized a pilot 3-hour "Day in the Life" virtual event geared toward URM high school students involving suturing/knot-tying, case conferences, and mentoring activities. Pre- and post-event survey results from 65 participants showed that students became more familiar with surgery (p < 0.001) and perceived the field as more diverse (p = 0.017). Over 70% felt capable of becoming surgeons themselves and over 80% were interested in learning more and gaining mentorship. Our programming provides a model for future initiatives aimed at strengthening the pipeline of URM surgeons.