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Reed to chair Board of Thoracic Surgery by Heather Woolwine Public Relations Carolyn Reed, M.D., Department of Surgery, became the first female chair for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) in November, and also garnered a position as the president-elect of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, another first.   Widely reputed for her excellent patient care and technical skills, Reed took both positions knowing that they would entail a lot of work, but felt the opportunity to impact both organizations and surgery in general  was too good to pass up.   Dr. Carolyn Reed “The (ABTS) board has already had to deal with some rather big changes recently, including the American Board of Medical Specialties requiring a more rigorous, closed-book exam, and peer and patient review for each board’s certification maintenance program,” she said. “And although we may not like it or agree with it; and people were definitely upset by the decision, we have no choice on the matter. So, we have to make it as revenue neutral and the transition as easy as we can.”   It’s this kind of go-to attitude that propelled Reed through medical school, surgical and thoracic surgery fellowships, and the ranks of clinical and administrative positions, including her position as the former director of the Hollings Cancer Center.   “My job as chair of the ABTS is to examine and certify that people in training are ready to practice within the community, and I take that responsibility to the public very seriously,” Reed said. “It’s a big job but I’ve had the great honor and pleasure of meeting some really incredible people through ABTS and have, in turn, formed some invaluable friendships. You have to be willing to do the work and have the support to participate at the national level. I’ve been lucky here that Fred Crawford (M.D., Department of Surgery chair; Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery director) encouraged me to become involved at that level. You have to work hard, pay your dues, and communicate.”   As the first woman elected to chair ABTS, the question immediately surfaces: does Reed think women are finally being actively embraced in thoracic surgery and surgery in general?   “Some people remain pretty concerned about the lack of women in some specialty areas, but if you look at the latest statistics, we have made progress,” she said. “The bigger question that concerns me is why isn’t thoracic surgery attracting the best and the brightest? It’s not a male/female issue for our specialty; honestly, we, as thoracic surgeons, are to blame for not cultivating more talent into the pipeline.”   Some of the possible reasons for a lack of surgeons choosing thoracic surgery include the length of time to obtain necessary degrees and fellowships (8 to 10 years after medical school before practice), the introduction of more minimally invasive procedures, and because of the desire to have a family during crucial study and practical experience time.   “Before the 80-hour work week for residents, it was really difficult, especially for women, to have a family and go into thoracic surgery,” Reed said. “But I don’t know if there has been a really good survey focused on this issue yet. Here at MUSC, we have a Women in Surgery interest group where individuals shadow surgeons from several specialties to encourage them to embrace a surgical career early in their course of study.”   While Reed acknowledges that chauvinism still exists, she explained that many of the barriers to a career in surgery for women are simply not there anymore. “To me, the ceiling has been broken. I want the ABTS to begin thinking ahead to the future and who’s coming behind us, male or female. I’m concerned that there aren’t enough potential cardiothoracic surgeons lined up and that may translate into a dry area for several years,” she said. “It’s part of our job and responsibility as leaders within our specialty to get the brightest and the best into the pipeline, regardless of their gender.”   In addition to giving oral and written board examinations, some of the tasks facing Reed as she begins her new positions include involving more private practice thoracic surgeons within ABTS and on its board, asking pyscho-metricians to check the validity of the board exam, making continuing medical education credits easier to  obtain, and changes with the SESAT exam and the exam format. Friday, Dec. 16, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.