Increasing diversity, specialization, and publication productivity among past presidents of major surgical organizations.

The study examined trends in the demographics, additional degrees pursued, and scientific publication characteristics of past presidents of three major surgery organizations. They found that the proportion of female presidents significantly increased from the 1990s to the 2010s, as did the percentage of non-white presidents and presidents with additional degrees. The most common area of expertise among presidents shifted from cardiothoracic surgery to surgical oncology. Additionally, there was an increase in the ratio of presidents’ post-induction to pre-induction publications and a change in research topics over time.