Fifteen female students from local high schools and colleges—interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)—will have lunch and spend time with five local female surgeons who work in the STEM field. The surgeons are participating in the Doctors Hospital of Sarasota Women’s Health Symposium. Before the surgeons speak with the crowd, they will meet with students from Sarasota High, Riverview High, North Port High and USF-Sarasota Manatee. Five female surgeons will be having lunch, talking and sharing stories with 15 young female students from local high schools and colleges. Four of the surgeons are women of color. Many of the young girls attending are also minorities. After the lunch with the students, the five local surgeons will present a panel presentation on women’s health topics. 450 women are expected at the health symposium.

Women surgeons are very rare—according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, just 20.6% of general surgeons and 5.3% of orthopedic surgeons are women. The hospital has assembled a panel of five female surgeons who work in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The hospital hopes the surgeons will be able to inspire students to pursue a career in a STEM field and can share advice on careers, college and challenges.

 This Friday, November 8^th 11:30am-Noon at   Michael’s On East Restaurant Entrance, 1212 S East Ave., Sarasota.