Women leaders: Blazing a trail so that others may lead, too

By Sheryl Stevenson, OWL Publications Chair and managing editor, Ophthalmology Times

In support of OWL’s mission of offering professional development, providing networking opportunities, and promoting personal growth for women in ophthalmology, this month we take a look at some of the many “trailblazing” women in ophthalmology. 

In this article, OWL members from various walks of leadership within ophthalmology -- in private practice, academics, and in the industry -- impart their wisdom. They begin with a look at some of the challenges that they have encountered as women in ophthalmology and share a few stories along the way.

Penny A. Asbell, MD, FACS, MBA, says she was surprised to learn that the glass ceiling still is there and “really made of cement!”

“For those in a bureaucratic setting, whether academia or industry, rising upward continues to be a challenge,” says Dr. Asbell, professor of ophthalmology, and director of cornea and refractive services, Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York.

“I suggest looking for opportunities to network. Take little for granted -- ask for what you need and deserve since it is unlikely that it will just be given to you,” adds Dr. Asbell, who also is editor-in-chief, Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine.

The challenges due to being a woman have been few for Polly Neely, P.N. Consulting, Woodbury Heights, NJ. She says this is “mostly because I surrounded myself very early with women in the field.”

Neely credits this to joining the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA) early in her administrative career and having a mentor in ASOA founder Lucy Santiago -- a trailblazer for women administrators in the ophthalmic administration, private practice, and corporate positions.

Working for other women, however, has been a challenge in Neely’s career, she adds. She proceeds to tell a story that “stopped the room and put a hush over the crowd” at the OWL meeting with Women in Ophthalmology earlier this summer in Pinehurst, NC.

“Career-motivated, strong-willed women tend to expect of others the same they do of themselves,” Neely says. “We are not all alike and we do not all share the same goals in life. Not everyone wants a ‘career in ophthalmology.’ Some people are there to make the payroll and give their hours and go home at night to their ‘career.’

“As successful women, we sometimes forget that we do not all aspire to the same calling,” she adds. “I have been very guilty of this myself in managing women in my career, it is something I still struggle with but try to keep in the front of my mind. I am different in many ways and so are they.”

Neely quips that once she gave further explanation, the audience “dropped the daggers and rotten tomatoes and laughed with me -- and some even agreed.”

Deb Holliday, PR project specialist for Abbott Medical Optics, Pascale Communications LLC, Ocala, FL, has been in ophthalmology for nearly 11 years.

“I’ve never felt, not even once, that my gender has been an obstacle,” she says. “My experience has been diverse: I’ve worked in clinical, academic, and industry settings.”

The trailblazing women before her must have been effective in making it easy for her, she quips.

“I love the field and feel fortunate and comfortable being a part of it,” Holliday adds. “Due to being more ‘mature’ age-wise, sometimes people assume that I’m a doctor. That's always struck me as funny, because it seems to me that the majority of doctors are younger that I am!”

Holliday says that when she was making college and career decisions decades ago, there were very few women in medical school -- a very male-dominated arena at the time. For the most part, women in her era usually set out to become teachers, nurses, dental hygienists (like Holliday), and writers.

“Today, over half the nation’s medical students are women, and if I were much younger and choosing a career path, attending medical school would be on my short list,” Holliday says. “Fortunately for all women, time has been on our side when it comes to choices and acceptance.”

Lauren P. Silvernail, chief financial officer and vice president, corporate development, ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA, says she does not feel that she is at a disadvantage as a woman in ophthalmology.

“I have always worked in industry and have found the ophthalmic industry to be an enlightened work environment compared [with] financial services where I worked during the ’80s and ’90s.”

The biggest challenge that Heather Ready says she faced, as a woman in ophthalmology, was career/life balance.

“This issue is not specific to those that work in the eye business, but can impact professional development and family harmony,” says Ready, national sales director, USGI Medical, San Clemente CA. “In order to address this effectively, I focused on developing excellent time management and organization skills and learned how to compartmentalize aspects of my life.”

Along with a very supportive spouse and family that understand her professional aspirations as well as her commitment to them, Ready says this approach has served her well.

“It is often necessary to prioritize the things that you do in order to support both aspects of your life and manage the stresses that come along,” she adds.

When it comes to offering advice for the next generation of women who are entering or considering the field of ophthalmology, the messages of encouragement from those who come before them are as rich and diversified as the women themselves.

“Dream big,” Ready advises. “Don’t talk yourself out of [taking] the path less traveled or from . . . a challenge that might seem beyond your expertise and background. If you have the passion to succeed and a commitment to make medicine better, you will do it. Don’t let anything stand in your way.”

Women bring tremendous skills to the field of ophthalmology, and we need to leverage these unique skills to help the field advance, she says.

“Be sure to ask for what you want,” Ready adds. “Don’t wait for it to be offered.”

Take time to brainstorm about what you want and then plan how to achieve your goals, Dr. Asbell suggests.

“Your goals may not be the typical academic progression, but go with your gut and enjoy your choices,” Dr. Asbell says.

Surround yourself with women peers, mentors, and organizations, Neely says.

“They will give you the motivation, encouragement, and education you need to share the positions with men in ophthalmology,” Neely says. “Know your worth and NEVER compare it [with] a male peer, just as two females are different in their practice, personal, academic, and professional skills and positions, so are male and female.”

Jan Beiting, principal, Wordsmith Consulting, Apex, NC, adds that when all does not go as planned, being able to walk away from a bad situation is very empowering.

“Live frugally and save your money early in your career so that you are financially secure enough to leave a job if you need to,” Beiting advises. “Whatever you face in the future -- a corporate restructuring, a personal change in priorities, or a toxic boss -- your position will be much stronger if you don't have to stay just because you need the money.”

For Silvernail, her advice is straightforward.

“Work to make a difference,” she says. “Don’t settle for second best from yourself or your employer.”

Work where you enjoy complete goals alignment: personal, professional, and company, she adds.

All in all, women considering a career in ophthalmology should feel empowered.

As Holliday puts it, “Go for it -- gender will not be an obstacle!”