Women surgeons around the world recreate a very important 'New Yorker' cover

Nicole Gallucci
Updated

A simple magazine cover has the power to inspire action — just ask Dr. Susan Pitt, an endocrine surgeon at the University of Wisconsin.

After seeing a recent New Yorker cover illustration by artist Malike Favre of four female surgeons prepped in gowns and masks peering down over an operating table, she set out to recreate the image IRL and encourage women surgeons around the world to join in.

This week's cover, "Operating Theatre," by Malika Favre: “I was operated on when I was five or six . . . I vividly remember the counting down from ten—I don’t think I made it much past eight,” Favre says, about her inspiration for the cover of our Health, Medicine, and the Body issue. “I tried to capture that feeling of people watching you lose consciousness . . . Most people have experienced it, but it still remains mysterious.” Click the link in our bio to read more. #TNYcovers

A post shared by The New Yorker (@newyorkermag) on Mar 27, 2017 at 7:14am PDT

"When I saw the cover of The New Yorker, I was blown away by the fact there was a female surgeon out there for everyone to see," Pitt told Mashable. "The surgical field has traditionally been dominated by men, and I loved that Malika Favre was not influenced by that stereotype." 

Since the issue came out right before she attended an annual American Association of Endocrine Surgeons meeting, she knew she had to replicate it. 

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Once she arrived at the Orlando conference, Pitt and a group of women surgeons replicated the photo in their everyday attire, and using the hashtag #ILookLikeASurgeon, she shared the photo alongside the New Yorker cover.

Pitt challenged other women surgeons to post their own renditions of the cover, and from New York to Brazil women proudly strapped on their surgical masks, gloves, and caps to recreate the pose with their co-workers. 

"I am completely and utterly blown away," Pitt said about the response her challenge received. "It is astounding to see the response of women surgeons and physicians all over the world." 

Amazing! We love this incredibly talented group of female surgeons at our hospital joining in the #nyerorcoverchallenge! #ilooklikeasurgeon #diversity #diversitymatters #nationwidekids #nationwidechildrens #asseenincolumbus #womensurgeons

A post shared by Nationwide Children's Hospital (@nationwidekids) on Apr 12, 2017 at 11:01am PDT

Ladies of HCMC #ilooklikeasurgeon

A post shared by Ashley Marek (@a.pauline27) on Apr 12, 2017 at 5:32am PDT

New Yorker OR Cover Challenge 💪🏻#womensurgeons #ilooklikeasurgeon #nyerorcoverchallenge #newyorker

A post shared by Brittany Brower (@brittany_brower) on Apr 12, 2017 at 10:08am PDT

also i just did an ED thoracotomy. #NYerORCoverChallenge #ilooklikeasurgeon @newyorker @womeninsurgery @malikafavre @susieqp8

A post shared by Trina Ghosh, M.D. (@plasticsmd) on Apr 12, 2017 at 8:14am PDT

BIDMC taking on the #NYerORcoverchallenge. #ILookLikeASurgeon

A post shared by @bidmchealth on Apr 11, 2017 at 8:16am PDT

#NYerORcoverchallenge #ilooklikeasurgeon #imactuallyaPA #OLHstaffsayswomenrock

A post shared by Samah PA-c (@sam_bariaticpa) on Apr 12, 2017 at 8:10am PDT

All female staff #newyorker #allfemalestaff #allfemalestaffthatrocks #integrativepaincenterofalaska #ipca #ilooklikeasurgeon @newyorkermag #womensurgeons @womensurgeons

A post shared by AndreaKit ZupancCross (@andreakit2008) on Apr 11, 2017 at 3:49pm PDT

#nyerorcoverchallenge #ilooklikeasurgeon From Brazil! 🇧🇷

A post shared by Susan Pitt (@susieqp8) on Apr 9, 2017 at 7:37pm PDT

The OR Team #ilooklikeasurgeon #thenewyorker #challengeaccepted #ORnurse #theatrenurse #nurselife #newyorkermag @newyorkermag @smuhlbeier

A post shared by Erin Marie ✌🏻❤️🌎🦄 (@hunybare32) on Apr 11, 2017 at 2:42pm PDT

"I hope that people recognize surgeons come in all genders and races." Pitt said, explaining hopes the photo enlightens others and draws attention to the pay gap and other inequities in the medical/ STEM fields. 

A study published last year in JAMA Internal Medicine found that female doctors make nearly $20,000 less on average than their male colleagues. 

"In surgery, there’s been a strong movement in the past couple of years towards equality," she told Buzzfeed. "In the context of our field, the timing of the Malika Favre cover was perfect for women to rally around."

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