International Women’s Day: Accelerating the Push for Progress With Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC, and Farnoosh Nik-Ahd, MD

International Women’s Day is more than a celebration—it’s also a call to action for gender equity across all fields, including medicine and oncology. Despite progress, women in healthcare continue to face disparities in leadership, research opportunities, and workplace dynamics. In this interview, Dr. Lauren Ghazal, Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Rochester, and Dr. Farnoosh Nik-Ahd, a sixth-year Urology Resident at the University of California, San Francisco, explore the challenges and triumphs of women in medicine. From breaking barriers in male-dominated specialties to fostering mentorship and inclusivity, their conversation highlights the urgent need for collective action to create a more equitable future in oncology and beyond.

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The Gender Gap in Medicine and Surgery

Women have made significant strides in medicine, yet disparities remain. In urology, a heavily male-dominated surgical subspecialty, less than 10% of practicing urologists are women. However, change is underway; among those currently in training, about 30% are women. Dr. Nik-Ahd emphasizes the importance of shifting perceptions: “It’s an exciting time where there are opportunities for women, and we have the chance to change how we perceive urologists and surgeons. Hopefully, when people think of a surgeon, they’ll think of a woman too.”

Despite progress, gender disparities manifest in workplace behaviors and interactions. Women in medicine often face challenges such as hierarchical power structures, differential treatment, and ingrained societal norms. One subtle yet pervasive issue is the tendency for women to over-apologize in professional settings. Dr. Ghazal highlights this: “Even in faculty meetings, I’ve seen this pattern—women starting conversations with an apology. A mentor once advised me never to begin a sentence with ‘sorry.’ It’s a small shift, but an important one.”

The Role of Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Allyship

A critical factor in advancing gender equity in medicine is the presence of mentors and sponsors—both men and women—who provide guidance, opportunities, and advocacy for the next generation. Dr. Nik-Ahd shares how mentorship has shaped her journey: “It’s made a huge impact, because while we may look different and have different genders or backgrounds, fundamentally having that support—especially from someone who is more senior and has gone through the path, be a sounding board, and offer you that really valuable advice—is so critical.”

Similarly, Dr. Ghazal underscores the value of strong peer support and community: “I have a core group of women in academia who are my sounding board. Having allies who uplift and advocate for you is crucial in navigating leadership and career advancement.”

While mentorship provides guidance, sponsorship actively opens doors for career opportunities. Both forms of support are necessary to dismantle barriers preventing women from attaining leadership positions in medicine and oncology.

LGBTQ+ Representation and Inclusive Research

Another critical issue in advancing equity is ensuring adequate representation of marginalized communities in medical research and healthcare policies. With increasing political challenges limiting data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity, there is growing concern about the impact on healthcare disparities. Dr. Ghazal raises a pressing concern: “I am nervous about what it means for the future of these populations when there are barriers to collecting critical data. If we can’t measure disparities, how can we address them?”

Dr. Nik-Ahd, whose research focuses on prostate cancer in transgender women, emphasizes the need for continuous advocacy: “Now more than ever, we need to be vocal and push forward with inclusive research. We must ensure that the work we do represents the communities we serve, especially those who have been historically marginalized.”

International Women’s Day: Call to Action

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is crucial to commit to tangible actions that promote gender equity in medicine and oncology. The Lancet Commission on Women, Power, and Cancer outlines key priorities to bridge gaps in leadership, research, and patient care.

Key Takeaways

Advocate for representation: Increase women’s participation in leadership roles across medicine, surgery, and oncology
Challenge workplace norms: Address ingrained biases such as hierarchical barriers and subtle language patterns that disadvantage women
Strengthening mentorship and sponsorship: Create structured programs that support career development for women and underrepresented groups
Ensuring inclusive research: Prioritize diversity in clinical studies and policies to reflect the needs of all patient populations

Dr. Nik-Ahd concludes, “It’s hard, but now more than ever, we must be the squeaky wheel—keep asking questions, keep pushing for progress, and keep advocating for those who need it most.”

Through collective action, we can build a future where all healthcare professionals, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to lead, innovate, and make a difference.

Happy International Women’s Day!

About Dr. Ghazal and Dr. Nik-Ahd

Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and an Associate Member in Cancer Prevention and Control at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. Her research focuses on nursing work-related challenges and financial toxicity experienced by adolescent and young adult cancer survivors, incorporating economic, clinical, and personal experiences to address survivorship disparities.

Farnoosh Nik-Ahd, MD, is a Urology Resident Physician at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Her research focuses on the risk and incidence of prostate cancer in transgender women and standards for prostate cancer screening and diagnosis in this population.