National Women Physicians Day: Kathryn A. Colby, MD, PhD’s reflections on advancing women in ophthalmology

In observance of National Women Physicians Day on February 3, Kathryn A. Colby, MD, PhD, who is the Elisabeth J. Cohen, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York, New York, said, “It’s good to recognize women and also recognize that we’ve made progress, but we still have more to do.

“You may know that I've devoted a lot of my career towards advancing the way women in ophthalmology are viewed, are promoted, are given awards, and things like that,” added Colby, speaking with Ophthalmology Times during a break at the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

When Colby began her tenure as chair in 2015, only five of approximately 125 ophthalmology departments had seated women chairs. Today, there are about 20, a significant increase, though “it’s still only one-sixth of programs” and mirrors a drop-off in representation at senior academic levels, with fewer women advancing from associate to full professor roles.

Colby emphasized that leadership requires leading by example and tailoring professional development to individuals. “When I hire new faculty…I meet with them quarterly at least for the first couple of years to figure out, first of all, what they love doing and what kind of phenotype within ophthalmology they want to differentiate into.” She identifies diverse paths for careers, from clinician-scientist to clinician-educator, stressing the importance of personalized mentoring.

She also highlighted the hurdles for aspiring ophthalmologists, describing the specialty as highly competitive. “Even among the best group in ophthalmology, which are US seniors applying for the first time, only 75% match in ophthalmology.” Strong academic credentials, research, and mentorship are critical.

For women, balancing careers with personal roles remains challenging. Colby advised persistence and courage: “Don’t be afraid to apply for something, even if you think it’s a little bit outside of your comfort zone.”