Visibility and Possibility

This is a special edition blog post presented in partnership with the Association of Out Surgeons and Allies in celebration of Pride Month.

By: Aeryn Kangas-Dick MD

I knew I was transgender since I was a child, but I never had the language to say what that meant. All I knew was what I saw on television— transgender people were often played for comic relief, or sometimes for shock value. Role models were few and very far between, and I had certainly never heard of a transgender surgeon. During my planned research year between my second and third years of surgical training, I was called to serve as an ICU resident during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. As many did after confronting the horrors of this experience, I realized I didn’t want to spend more time pretending to be something I wasn’t. However I was terrified about what that would mean for me, my family, and my career as a surgeon. I started hormone replacement therapy, but continued to hide who I was at work as I returned as a senior resident. I found support in a few places: my spouse and my class of co-residents. I wasn’t sure that a transgender person could be a surgeon.

I spent many hours on the internet, doing what I had been trained to do—performing a literature review. I was searching for someone, anyone, who might serve as a role model. Finally, I found Drs. Marci Bowers and Michaela West. It meant the world to me to see these surgeons leading and excelling in their field. I was inspired to be authentically myself in my professional life, and along the way, found the support of colleagues, mentors, friends, and family. I benefited enormously from the sponsorship and mentorship of surgeons (both members of the queer community and allies) who helped me realize that I might have a place in academic surgery.

Visibility is a frightening thing in a high-pressure specialty like surgery, but it is something that is sorely needed. In 2018, an Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) survey found that only 0.7% of graduating medical students identified as Transgender or non-binary. This is similar to the 1% figure often quoted in popular media. Due to increased awareness and support, more people may be able to openly recognize and share their transgender identity: according to data collected by Gallup, the total percentage of adults in “Generation Z” (born after 1997) identifying as transgender has increased to 4.1%. Relatedly, the number of Gen Z adults who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community is reported to be 23.1%. Also, per the AAMC in 2024, the last year for which data was available, there were 20,857 graduates from US MD schools. Even using the 2018 percentages, this implies that a significant number of transgender and gender diverse medical students and residents are entering training who need role models and mentors. Visibility and representation are vital for these students and residents to find a place in academic medicine.

Now, as a fellow starting my career, I have found community in expanding my participation in affinity surgical organizations such as AOSA (Association of Out Surgeons and Allies) and the AWS. These organizations represent a vital opportunity for mentorship, sponsorship, and “role-model”-ship to many students and residents. In addition, social media has been a helpful avenue to connect with medical students and residents who are using their platforms to advocate for marginalized queer and trans identities. I have found myself connecting with a large group of surgeons and students alike in ways that have allowed me to begin to act as a role model and mentor to medical students. These have ranged from informal calls/meetings to helping to build a formal mentorship group for transgender and gender diverse medical students and residents.

This year, during Pride month, it is more important than ever to be visible and to connect with our students, residents, and mentees to share the possibility of a career in surgery while celebrating and honoring our diverse identities. I would urge everyone who reads this to recommend that their students and mentees join groups like AWS and AOSA and to reach out to create mentor and sponsor relationships, both formally and informally. As a queer woman, I know that visibility can feel frightening, but it is also vital to help the next generation of surgeons realize what is possible.

Bio: Aeryn Kangas-Dick is currently completing her fellowship in complex general surgical oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and will be joining the faculty at the West Michigan Cancer Center and the Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine at Western Michigan University in the Fall. Her clinical focus is Hepatobiliary, gastric, and esophageal surgery, and her research interests include increasing access to care for cancer patients and predictive and prognostic genetic markers in hepatocellular carcinoma. Outside of work, she is an avid skier and rugby player.