Breastfeeding Challenges for Surgeons Addressed in Nationwide Survey Initiated by Tessa London-Bounds

Survey on Access and Equity for Breastfeeding Surgeons Discussed by Heart Surgeon Tessa London-Bounds

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tessa London-Bounds, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, has opened up about her own struggle between managing her professional duties as a surgeon, and her personal duties as a nursing mother. She was particularly distressed by the significant differences in support and facilities available to her for breastfeeding when she was a resident vis-à-vis her time as an attending surgeon.

Discrepancies in the workplace, including access to technology and facilities, made it a challenge for her to balance providing care to her patients, while also caring for her own children. It was after discussing her experiences with her colleagues that she decided to take a step forward in rectifying this concerning issue.

Crafting a Nationwide Survey

London-Bounds collaborated with fellow surgeons and created an online survey. This comprehensive survey was directed at nearly 900 surgeons across the nation. Its primary objective was to gather insights about the challenges breastfeeding surgeons encounter with regard to access and equity in the working environment.

She disclosed more about this survey and the subsequent findings in an episode of “Behind the Blue”. The episode, which was released recently, features conversations and discussions about stigma and difficulties pregnant and breastfeeding surgeons perceive in the workplace. The cumulative understanding derived from the responses is already showing signs of a positive impact.

The “Behind the Blue”

“Behind the Blue” is a popular podcast which offers weekly updates about the latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, and writers, besides other news related to the university. This episode is particularly interesting, as it brings attention to a topic often sidelined in medical discussions – the rights and necessities of pregnant and breastfeeding surgeons

UK HealthCare, which includes the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky, is home to over 10,000 dedicated healthcare professionals. They are committed to providing advanced subspeciality care to the critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also comprises the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center, and Kentucky’s top hospital as per rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

Pressing Forward with the Mission

As an academic research institution, the university continuously works on discovering the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols, and policies. Their discoveries have the potential to change what has been medically possible up until now, within the span of our lifetimes. It further cultivates health care leaders of the future, with six health professions colleges educating the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals.

With this approach towards enhancing the healthcare environment, and attention to improving working conditions for breastfeeding surgeons as evinced by the survey, UK HealthCare is indeed fostering a healthier Kentucky, for the current generation and those to come.