Despite the paucity of women in endoscopy holding leadership roles, inroads are being made as more female endoscopists are promoted within this exciting field in gastroenterology. There are many benefits from increasing diversity in the workplace, including boosting morale, minimizing gender bias, providing role models and improving patient outcomes.

Studies demonstrate the myriad benefits of a diverse workforce in gastroenterology including improved patient care, role models for the next generation, and higher morale and greater physician retention in the field. Nevertheless, there is a lack of female leaders in endoscopy. When I began my tenure last year as Director of the University of Chicago’s Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics (CERT), one of the few independent units for advanced endoscopy in the USA, it was the culmination of decades of hard work bolstered by encouragement from colleagues, medical centre leadership, friends and family. Given the scarcity of women running therapeutic endoscopy programmes, I knew this dream job would put me into a visible position that could serve as an example for other women, but also be subject to additional scrutiny and criticism.