An Assessment of Gender Equity and Parity Among "Nontraditional" Pathology Awards

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the gender composition of nontraditional pathology recognition award recipients.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Top Five 40 Under Forty and The Pathologist Power List award recipients' gender. Gender was independently analyzed by 2 authors using pronouns. Two analyses were performed: difference in gender parity and difference in gender equity for award recipients.

Results: From 2014 through 2022, 618 total awards were conferred. Significantly more men than women received an award overall (57.1% vs 42.9%; P < .001). Compared with population benchmarks, awards conferred to US-based nontrainee pathology physicians (men 56.2%, women 43.8%; P = .091) and US-based pathology physician trainees (men 60.5%, women 39.5%; P = .15) are equitable. Conversely, gender inequities exist among awards conferred to US-based nonphysician laboratory professionals (men 51.7%, women 48.3%; P < .001).

Conclusion: The Pathologist Power List and Top Five ASCP 40 Under Forty awards have not completely achieved gender parity, and gender inequities remain among subgroups.

Keywords: diversity; equity; gender equity; inclusion; pathology; recognition awards.