Gender Differences in Advanced Degrees and Leadership Roles in Otolaryngology

Saturday, October 17, 2026

4:54 PM - 5:00 PM PT

Location: 404B

Presenting Author(s)

Maeher R. Grewal, MD

Dr.
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Co-Author(s)

SH

Sarah Heath, Other

Ms.
University of Utah School of Medicine, United States
JH

Jacqueline L. Hyman

Medical Student
University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City, UT, United States
ST

Sarah Teruya, MS-1

Medical Student
University of Utah, United States

Senior Author(s)

RP

Reema Kirit Padia, MD

Associate Professor
The University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Disclosure(s):

Maeher R. Grewal, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Reema Kirit Padia, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Previous studies demonstrate that advanced degrees in otolaryngology (OTO) correlate with a higher h-index and increased likelihood of obtaining a leadership position. The role gender plays in advanced degrees and leadership is unknown. The objectives of this study were to 1) assess incidence of advanced degrees between males and females in otolaryngology leadership positions and 2) determine if there is any correlation between specific degrees and leadership titles.

Methods: All 125 ACGME-accredited OTO program websites were reviewed to collect data on gender and advanced degrees held by department chairs (DC), program directors (PD), vice chairs, and associate program directors. Advanced degrees included Doctorate (PhD), Master in Science (MS), Master in Public Health (MPH), and Master in Business Administration (MBA). Graphpad was used to calculate Fisher’s exact test.

Results: Of 300 total leadership positions evaluated, women held 32.0% (N=96). Women held 15.4% of DC (16/104) and 35.9% of PD (41/114) roles, comprising 16.7% and 42.7% of female-held leadership roles respectively. Across all leadership positions, 23 individuals (7.6%) had an additional PhD, and 30 (10.0%) had an additional MS/MPH/MBA. 5 (5.2%) women had an additional PhD compared to 18 (8.8%) men (P>0.05). 1 (1.04%) woman had an additional MS compared to 6 (2.9%) men (P>0.05), and 1 woman (1.04%) had an additional MPH compared to 8 (3.9%) men (P>0.05). No women had an additional MBA compared to 14 (6.9%) men (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: While there was no significant correlation between gender and having combined MD/DO and PhD, MS, or MPH, women in leadership roles were significantly less likely to possess combined MD/DO and MBA credentials compared to male counterparts. Leadership positions commonly require business and financial responsibilities. Further investigation into the reasoning behind the pursuit of the MBA for the male leaders that earned them would aid in determining if this advanced degree is beneficial for those desiring a leadership role in an OTO department.