In a groundbreaking achievement, an all-women team at a California hospital successfully performed a heart transplant on a female patient in early December. Led by Dr. Amy Fiedler, an attending cardiac surgeon and assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), the team consisted of six other healthcare professionals. The procedure, which lasted five hours, is significant as UCSF only conducted around 50 heart transplants last year and women comprise only 6.2% of adult cardiac surgeons nationwide. The team realized the historical significance of their collaboration only at the end of the surgery. Dr. Charlene Blake, an attending cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and associate professor, captured the moment with a selfie and expressed her surprise at the unfolding achievement. The team hopes their story will inspire more women to pursue their dreams.
Dr. Fiedler, who became the first female cardiac surgeon at UCSF, expressed her hope that their work will encourage people across the country and the world to pursue their dreams and realize that nothing is impossible. Dr. Laura Scrimgeour, a cardiothoracic surgery fellow, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that anyone can pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Blake, the first Black cardiac anesthesiologist at UCSF, also highlighted the importance of empowering women and breaking barriers for future generations. The team’s remarkable achievement underscores the progress being made towards gender equality in the medical field and serves as an inspiration for aspiring female surgeons and healthcare professionals.
