• Lúcar FigueroaEnriquetaEDepartment of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: ketty.lucar@gmail.com., Catherine Veilleux, Lilyana Angelov, Susan Brien, Marie-Pierre Fournier-Gosselin, KissZelma H TZHTDivision of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada., Marie Long, Judith Marcoux, Katherine Poon, Shirley Stiver, Eve Tsai, Sarah Woodrow, Gelareh Zadeh, and Gail Rosseau.
• Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: ketty.lucar@gmail.com.
• World Neurosurg. 2023 Jul 1; 175: 789778-97.

BackgroundSince the emergence of neurosurgery as a distinct specialty ∼100 years ago in Canada, it took >40 years for Canadian women to enter the field in the province of Quebec, and longer in the other provinces.MethodsWe provide a historical overview of Canadian women in neurosurgery, from the early pioneers to the modern-day leaders and innovators in the field. We also define the current participation of women in Canadian neurosurgery. Chain-referral sampling, historical books, interviews, personal communications, and online resources were used as data sources.ResultsOur historical review highlights the exceptional journey and unique experiences of female neurosurgeons, describes their achievements, and identifies career obstacles and enabling factors. We also incorporate comments from Canadian female neurosurgeons, both retired and in active practice, addressing gender inequities in the field, and provide advice and encouragement to the new generations to come. Despite the achievements of these female trailblazers, women represent a small proportion of the Canadian neurosurgery trainees and the active workforce, in stark contrast to the increasing number of women in medical school.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first historical overview of female women neurosurgeons in Canada. Providing a historical context will help us to better understand the important role of women in modern neurosurgery, identify persistent gender issues in the field, and provide a vision for aspiring female neurosurgeons.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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