Women make up 70% of the global health and social workforce but hold only 25% of leadership roles. In ophthalmology, women represent just 25-30% of ophthalmologists. Research shows that hospitals with increased female surgeons and anesthetists have lower odds of major morbidity within 90 days of a procedure, yet women still face barriers to accessing training and leadership opportunities.
This gender gap doesn’t just impact professionals - it can also limit access to care. In many communities, cultural norms mean that female patients are less likely to seek treatment if they do not have access to a female doctor or health worker. Expanding the number of women in eye care is crucial to ensuring that more women and girls receive the treatment they need.
Orbis, an international eye care charity, is working year-round to change this. Through long-term training programs and their Flying Eye Hospital, Orbis is equipping the next generation of female eye care professionals with the skills they need to succeed - ensuring that more women can lead in ophthalmology and that more women and girls worldwide can access the care they need.
On International Women’s Day, Orbis is highlighting the impact of these efforts. Dr Michelle Le Cheminant, consultant anesthetist and deputy chair at the Medical Specialist Group in Guernsey, and Orbis volunteer since 2017, has trained female eye care professionals across Vietnam, Malawi, and Mongolia. Here, she talks about her experience training and empowering female eye care professionals in Mongolia, and working in STEM.
Dr Michelle Le Cheminant teaching anaesthesia simulation in Mongolia 2024.
Q. What was it like being part of the Flying Eye Hospital project in Mongolia in 2024?
A. During this project, the majority of my hands on trainees in anesthesia were women. I think the gender balance has shifted somewhat, with the benefits of expanding the female workforce being better recognised. Teaching airway skills via simulation on the Flying Eye Hospital is always really enjoyable for me. Simulation is a really immersive way of learning and it was great to see our trainees learning new skills but also supporting each other and enjoying the experience.
Q. What it does it feel like to be a woman training and empowering other women in the medical field?
A. Sometimes, I still experience self-doubt and question if I’m the best person to be mentoring women in the medical field. But I think actually it’s helpful to take this time to reflect and it’s perhaps one of the qualities that makes me a better teacher. On my recent project in Mongolia, the one constant throughout the week was my translator – a young female medical student, without whom I would have been unable to deliver my training! She was gaining experience in eye care with Orbis during her university vacation time. We built a strong rapport during the week and had conversations on a huge range of medical topics. She was an inspiring and accomplished young woman, with a bright career ahead. She represents the next generation of female leaders in healthcare and I felt privileged to have met her and shared her journey.
Q. During your training projects, have you noticed any challenges that women in eye care face?
A. I think the first obvious challenge that all women in eye care face is the question of how to balance your chosen career with family commitments. Doing so requires a degree of flexibility, by both training providers and employers. But the benefits are certainly worthwhile. Breaking down these barriers requires strong role models and this is where Orbis shines. Women make up a large proportion of their staff and volunteer faculty and this allows us to demonstrate the valuable contribution of female leaders in medicine. I think women in healthcare bring different skills and attributes, fostering a good workplace culture and creative solutions. Expanding the female workforce has additional benefits, as women in many cultures are more likely to seek healthcare from female clinicians – so it helps improve access to healthcare for women.
Dr Michelle Le Cheminant observing surgery in Mongolia 2024.
Q. How do Orbis’s programs transform women’s lives - whether it’s patients, trainees, or local medical teams?
A. Women are disproportionately affected by global blindness and visual impairment, and Orbis programs help to tackle this inequity. For me, the most rewarding aspect is to see Orbis providing access to eye care for women who might otherwise be left behind – for example elderly patients, often living in rural areas. Improving vision in this group can offer a vast improvement in quality of life. I met and cared for such a lady on my recent Mongolian project and it’s a memory that stays with me. I can clearly picture her smile, as she realises her surgery has been a success.
Q. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women looking to enter STEM, especially in medicine?
A. I would simply say – don’t hesitate. Medicine is such a rewarding and varied career path. There are a raft of different opportunities and something to suit every skillset. My field is anesthesia, it’s a very hands on job, with lots of practical skills. My focus is to improve each patient’s surgical journey and ensure they achieve the best outcome possible. Having surgery is often an unsettling time for patients, and the role of their anesthetist in offering clinical expertise and support is highly valued.
Q. As a woman in STEM, have you faced any barriers along the way?
A. As a woman in STEM, I’ve actually always felt well supported – I think I had the good fortune of encountering some strong mentors along the way. The barriers I personally faced were related to entering medicine from a working class background and so not having the connections and resources of some of my peers. But I think everyone’s journey is unique and I stay motivated by focusing on enjoying my day to day working life. It's important to have goals and work hard to achieve them, but balance this with sustainability – take joy in the small things!
Q. What inspires you most about volunteering with Orbis?
A. Volunteering with Orbis offers a unique opportunity, due to the strong emphasis on teaching and training. For me, this is the aspect that provides the most job satisfaction and keeps inspiring me to volunteer. I’ve been incredibly privileged to receive a high quality medical education in the UK and in low- and middle-income countries this access to medical education is far from guaranteed, particularly for women. I want to be able to share the knowledge I’ve gained and help others in their career journey.
Dr Michelle Le Cheminant.
Women Leaders in Eye Health (WLEH), an alliance between Orbis, Seva Foundation, and Women in Ophthalmology, are calling on medical students, residents, fellows, ophthalmologists, nurses, optometrists, anesthetists and administrators in eye care to take their global survey to help them better understand the barriers women face in leadership - so they can drive meaningful change: https://tinyurl.com/bp63x9af
