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Panel Presentations

Professional and Personal Development

Pregnancy Disclosure Among Trainees: How to Create a Culture of Trust

Monday, October 13, 2025
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM EDT
Location: 121-122
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Over the past decade, pregnancy discrimination in the US has been a significant issue, with more than 50,000 claims filed. This discrimination can lead to lower salaries and fewer promotions. In general surgery training, women face challenges including unmanageable work schedules, pregnancy stigma, inadequate maternity leave, insufficient childcare and lactation support, and lack of mentorship. A 2024 study found that 58% of female general surgery residents experienced pregnancy/parenthood-based mistreatment, leading to higher burnout rates and obstetric complications. Surgeons face obstetric complication rates of 25-82%, significantly higher than the general US population's 5-15%.
Pregnancy disclosure can be stressful for trainees, potentially leading to extended residency, delayed fellowship, and graduation. This workshop will explore strategies for trainees disclosing pregnancy or childcare needs, and for program directors and department chairs handling these requests. We'll discuss creating an open culture of trust and understanding to ease this process for both trainees and faculty. Additionally, we'll address paternity and parental caregiver leave. Case based discussion will be performed and discussed as small groups.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Discuss barriers in disclosure of pregenancy in the work place.
  2. Identify strategies for creating a culture of trust allowing for better ability to plan and disclose potential pregenancies
  3. Discuss parental care giver leave as a partner of a person who is pregnent.

    Lead Instructor(s)

  • AT

    Annie R. Thornton, MD

    Resident
    United States Army, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
    Bethesda, MD, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Instructor(s)

  • MO

    Michael I. Orestes, MD

    Associate Professor Surgery, Director for Education, Training and Research
    United States Army, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
    Bethesda, Maryland, United States

    Disclosure(s):

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

  • Nausheen Jamal, MD, MBA

    Professor and Harry Carothers Wiess Chair
    University of Texas Medical Branch, John Sealy School of Medicine
    Galveston, TX, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Sarah N. Bowe, MD, EdM

    Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Residency Program Director
    San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium
    San Antonio, TX, United States

    Disclosure(s):

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