PURPOSE: To evaluate longitudinal trends and distribution of sex representation within leadership positions of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) over the past decade.
METHODS: Demographic data from 2013 to 2024 were obtained from ASSH for committee and annual meeting leadership positions. Self-reported sex was analyzed, and leadership participation was assessed longitudinally and by distribution among unique individuals.
RESULTS: A total of 685 ASSH committee leadership positions were identified, of which the majority were held by men. Women representation in committee leadership increased over the study period. Key decision-making positions, such as committee Chair, represented a large proportion of all leadership opportunities, with women chairs accounting for a smaller share overall. Leadership positions were concentrated among a limited number of individuals, particularly among women leaders. Across leadership for the ASSH national meeting, women participation increased over time but remained lower than men. A disproportionate share of leadership positions was held by a small subset of individuals, with a greater concentration observed among women leaders compared with men.
CONCLUSIONS: Women representation within ASSH leadership has increased across committee and annual meeting leadership positions over the past decade. However, these leadership opportunities remain concentrated among a small number of recurring individuals, suggesting that gains in numeric representation have not fully translated into broader diversification of leadership. These findings highlight the importance of considering both representation and distribution when evaluating inclusivity within surgical societies.
TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective observational study IV.
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