Women in Urology — A Growing Trend in Medicine

More women are pursuing medical careers in historically male-dominated specialties—at Beaufort Memorial, Dr. Meredith Hernandez is one of them.

For Dr. Meredith Hernandez, the newest urologist at Beaufort Memorial Urology Specialists, it makes sense that more women are choosing careers in urology.

As more women pursue careers in medicine, many are discovering the same elements that drew Dr. Hernandez to the field herself: the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, educate patients and perform surgery – all while providing care for a wide array of conditions.

Urology has long been viewed as a male-dominated specialty, but it’s by no means a “men’s field.”

September is Women in Medicine Month, and Dr. Hernandez represents a growing trend of not only women becoming physicians, but of women choosing to pursue specialties where, historically, they have been underrepresented.

Why Urology?

A New Orleans native who grew up in Memphis, Dr. Hernandez comes from a family with deep roots in medicine. Both of her grandfathers are physicians—one is an internist, and the other began his career in cardiology before transitioning to dermatology.

For Dr. Hernandez, though, it was urology that offered her the perfect combination of what she wanted in a medical career.

"Urology is the hidden gem of medicine,” she said. “You get clinical medicine, patient education and surgery, all in one field.”

Urology offers variety too, with patients seeking care for a wide array of concerns.

“You just get to see a range of patient needs,” she explained. “You see smaller, straightforward cases, but also much more complex and challenging cases, and I really enjoy that.”

‘A Personality Field’

For Dr. Hernandez, providing urologic care requires more than medical expertise. Empathy, open communication and helping patients feel comfortable are equally important.

Many patients bring conditions to their urology providers they may find embarrassing or difficult to discuss. Creating a welcoming environment during these vulnerable moments can put patients at ease and is critical to helping them get the care they need.

That’s why Dr. Hernandez considers urology a “personality field.”

“Obviously, we deal with a lot of problems that can be more intimate,” she said. “Most urologists have a good sense of humor; body language and how you talk to the patients is huge in making them feel comfortable.”

The American Urological Association estimates that between 60% and 75% of urology patients are male, but many women also see urologists for common concerns such as genitourinary issues, incontinence, recurring urinary tract infections, kidney or bladder conditions and more.

Challenging Old Assumptions

Before landing on urology, Dr. Hernandez admits she hesitated initially because of the perception that it was a specialty primarily for men.

“Lots of people kept asking me, ‘Are you sure?’” She recalled. “But I have no doubt that I made the right decision—it’s awesome.”

Medicine has changed dramatically over the last several decades; not long ago, men made up the majority of physicians across nearly every specialty, including women’s health-focused fields like obstetrics and gynecology.

That has shifted, as the number of physicians who are women continues to grow, especially in specialty fields such as urology.

“Female urologists are becoming more and more common,” Dr. Hernandez said. The American Urological Association reports that women currently make up about 12% of practicing urologists, while approximately 40% of professionals undergoing training in urology are women.

“There’s definitely a big shift,” she added. “More and more women are getting interested in urology and what all it has to offer.”

Following the Call

While medicine is challenging, Dr. Hernandez encourages anyone who feels called to the profession to pursue it—regardless of gender or medical specialty.

“If you’re considering becoming a physician, it’s a long road, but it’s also very rewarding,” she said. “If you feel a calling, seek it out and go for it.”

And for women considering careers in historically male-dominated specialties, her advice is straightforward:

“Don’t be held back by any stereotypes of what you may think a physician should look like,” she said. “During my training, I have felt extremely supported and encouraged the whole way through.”

Find a Beaufort Memorial provider who specializes in Urology.