Under the table, his hand landed uncomfortably high on my thigh. Our conversation had drifted from our mutual interests in molecular biology research of brain tumors to books and music. Until that moment, I had felt really positive about our connection. It was 1984, and my infatuation with neurosurgery had led me to try and break into an overwhelming male subspecialty. I knew it would take something special to convince a program to make the leap and accept a woman. Throughout the lavish dinner event for the visiting resident applicants, I had foolishly thought, perhaps this was such an opportunity. When the hand landed, the conversation abruptly changed, and the senior faculty leaned very close and, with an unmistakable leer, said, “I would really love to help you become the first woman in our residency program. Shall we make those plans later tonight?”
Somehow, I managed to secure a residency training position in neurosurgery despite the odds and for the last four decades have navigated my training, clinical growth, academic advancement and rise in national leadership positions. Fortunately, I never again encountered such a blatant attempt for someone in a powerful position to coerce me into a sexual encounter. Still, there certainly were many times when I experienced other forms of sexual harassment. As is typical, for years, I said nothing — even to close friends or family — because somehow I felt “responsible” or else feared the consequences. All this time, I blindly assumed this was only happening to me and because I lived in a male-dominated surgical specialty.
Slowly over time, I became aware that I was not alone, and my experiences were similar to others. Unfortunately, others experienced far worse. (See Table 1). Those of us in the first wave of women in neurosurgery — training in the 1970s to early 1990s — naively hoped that our increasing numbers, sheer presence and leadership positions would lead to change. We had hoped that such behavior belonged only to the past. Sadly, we realized that was not the case. When those efforts seemed ineffective, many of us quietly tried to rally neurosurgical leadership around efforts to try and improve the situation. Yet we were often met with disbelief there was a real problem.
When the #MeToo movement hit the media, however, many in neurosurgery recognized our potential vulnerability. And in 2018, the One Neurosurgery Summit established the Neurosurgery Professionalism Taskforce (NSPT). Under the leadership of James T. Rutka, MD, PhD, FAANS, and Karin M. Muraszko, MD, FAANS, the goal of the NSPT was to provide a comprehensive report on policies and recommendations regarding sexual harassment in neurosurgery. While the NSPT undertook many activities, one major initiative was the creation and administration of a survey to assess the depth and breadth of sexual harassment across neurosurgery.
I am proud to have co-authored the manuscript Toward an Understanding of Sexual Harassment in Neurosurgery published in the Journal of Neurosurgery. I genuinely believe it is a huge step forward for our specialty and part of slow but meaningful incremental progress. (See Table 2). The information gleaned from the survey, and the recommended strategies are important and can also serve all of medicine — especially those traditionally male-dominated specialties.
As the saying goes, “we have come a long way, baby,” as we celebrate 100 years of women’s right to vote in the U.S., the 30th anniversary of the Women in Neurosurgery Section (WINS) and now the publication of this landmark article. I hope this means no future neurosurgical residents — of any gender, race or sexual preference — will face the serious challenges of harassment that I and too many others have over many years. I remain ever hopeful.
Editor’s note: We hope that you will share what you learn from our posts. We invite you to be part of the conversation on Twitter by following @Neurosurgery and using the hashtag #WomenInNeurosurgery and #CelebratingWINSat30.
Deborah L. Benzil, MD, FAANS, FACS
Cleveland Clinic, Vice-Chair, Neurosurgery
Cleveland, Ohio
women have played critical roles throughout the development of the specialty. The role of women in neurosurgery began with 
specific to women became evident. Eventually, the 
goals of the section — to educate, inspire and encourage women neurosurgeons to realize their professional and personal goals. WINS also serves women in neurosurgery by addressing the issues inherent to training, and maintaining a diverse and balanced workforce is the mission of this section.
We will give voice to women from across the spectrum of our profession, from students on the cusp of embarking on this tremendously rewarding personal and professional journey, to women who have dedicated most of the adult lives to advancing the art and science of the specialty. Neurosurgery is not alone in that when given a choice, we should choose and foster diversity, and the long and successful history of WINS is a testament to that. We invite our readers to participate actively and share their own stories of progress and breakthrough.
was one of the first neurosurgeons who talked openly about the 
Martina Stippler, MD, FAANS, FACS
Kurt A. Yaeger, MD
The coalition, which represents more than 150,000 surgeons, was formed to stop these Medicare cuts to protect patients, improve their quality of life and ensure that our nation’s seniors have access to the neurosurgeon of their choice when they need life-saving neurosurgical care. Specifically, the SCC is worried about new Medicare payment policies for office and outpatient visits that the 
placed an unprecedented strain on our health care system, and additional Medicare payment cuts will not only threaten timely access to quality care but will also stress an already fragile health care system.”
Katie O. Orrico, Esq., director
Finally, stroke, large vessel occlusions and mechanical thrombectomy have become an area of interest amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence is emerging from epicenters of the crisis — like New York City — that patients, whether afflicted with COVID-19 or not, are seeking medical attention later in their stroke course due to fears regarding COVID-19. We expect many studies to be published in the ensuing months evaluating stroke and mechanical thrombectomy in COVID-19 patients. We are excited about what the future holds in cutting edge research to bring the best available care to stroke patients everywhere.
Justin R. Mascitelli, MD
Clemens M. Schirmer, MD, PhD, FAANS, FAHA
Other Navy Reserve doctors and nurses are embedded into the New York City public city hospitals that have been decimated with COVID-19. Navy Reserve doctors and nurses are joining their civilian counterparts in treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals where they are most needed. Many are acting in new and expanded roles due to the dramatically increased ICU needs. The shortage does not call for additional neurosurgeons to perform neurosurgery but for additional coverage in overflowing ICUs. These are very sick patients, and neurosurgeons have a tremendous possibility to do some good within this structure. As our medical critical care colleagues take a pounding, neurosurgeons are very comfortable in the ICU, in treating critical patients, in dealing with mortality and in leading large health care teams to make pragmatic, direct and impactful decisions. Indeed, the 
It goes without saying that service in the Navy Reserve rests upon the service of others. Colleagues back home have taken additional emergency call, increased their workload and served the local community in similar ways. Even more so, spouses have to work overtime at home, especially those with small children and those juggling their own virtual careers. Multiple people have come together in numerous ways to serve the people of New York City. And, the welcome in New York City has been one of deep gratitude both inside and outside the hospital.
Initially, physical classes were canceled until late March, by which time any students who had traveled to a COVID-19 hotspot would have completed a 14-day quarantine. The plan was to resume regular classes and clinical experiences following this disruption. However, it became clear within a matter of weeks that this would be impossible. For the safety of students, faculty and patients, it was eventually decided that all physical classes and clinical experiences would be canceled for the foreseeable future. Students at all levels were placed in an uncertain position as it became increasingly clear that in-person learning would not be possible for the remainder of the year. This uncertainty fostered fear and anxiety among students — many of whom were also dealing with the stress regarding their safety and that of friends and family.
Stephen Susa