“NICE TRY”— that’s a mnemonic that NEOMED alumna Christina Girgis, M.D. (’05), created to help physicians in training to guard against sexual harassment. According to Dr. Girgis, while all specialties in medicine are affected by sexual harassment and gender discrimination, certain specialties are disproportionally affected and have historically reported higher rates – in particular, surgery and its subspecialties. In cardiothoracic surgery, 90% of women trainees experienced sexual harassment, according to one study cited by Dr. Girgis in the article “Get Used to It” in the Spring 2021 issue of Ignite.
Change is needed, starting with medical governing bodies, Dr. Girgis told the article’s author, Elaine Guregian: “Responsibility for ensuring that trainees feel competent to manage the issue rests with those at the top.”