Women Surgeons Who Contributed to the Development of Pediatric Otolaryngology in the United States

Objective Our goal was to identify the early pioneering women surgeons in the United States who devoted their career or the majority of their practice to the care of otolaryngologic disorders in children. We sought to share their stories, recognize their contributions to the surgical subspecialty now known as pediatric otolaryngology, and acknowledge their vision and leadership. Data Sources Primary sources include books, published articles in the medical literature, newspaper articles, memorials/obituaries in both the medical literature and lay press, web logs, the John Q Adams Center for the History of Otolaryngology to include the Women in Otolaryngology, a number of otolaryngology departments, and children's hospitals nationwide. Interviews were conducted with former colleagues and senior pediatric otolaryngologists. Review Methods Following review of all available information, women surgeons were included in this study if there was documentation of a clinical practice involving the otolaryngologic care of children in the United States before 1985 with demonstration of the education of others in this discipline. Results Six women surgeons were identified: Drs. Alice G Bryant, Margaret F. Butler, Ellen James Patterson, Emily Lois Van Loon, LaVonne Bernadene Bergstrom, and Joyce A. Schild. Conclusion Six pioneering women surgeons in the United States have been identified who devoted their practice to the care of otolaryngologic disorders in children and mentored or trained other health care providers. The stories of their lives, their contributions to the care of otolaryngologic disorders in children, and their work as mentors or educators have been described. Laryngoscope, 134:40–46, 2024 Six pioneering women surgeons in the United States have been identified who devoted their career or the majority of their practice to the care of otolaryngologic disorders in children and mentored or trained other health care providers in this specific clinical area. The stories of their lives, their contributions to the care of otolaryngologic disorders in children, and their work as mentors or training of other health care providers have been described.