Vanesa Audil, a 35-year-old cardiovascular surgeon, shares her perspectives on artificial intelligence, robotics, and gender equality within the operating room. As the sole female member of the surgical team at the Favaloro Foundation, she highlights the striking gender imbalance in cardiovascular surgery, particularly in leadership roles. This issue is especially pronounced in Buenos Aires and across Argentina, where women are increasingly visible as residents but remain scarce as lead surgeons.

Audil emphasizes that while the field of cardiac surgery should be inclusive of all genders, it currently ranks among the specialties with the fewest women represented. She notes that there is a growing influx of female medical residents, which is a positive sign for the future, yet major barriers still exist that prevent women from assuming roles where they can directly operate on patients. She passionately asserts that it takes significant character and determination for women to establish their presence in such a male-dominated environment.

This conversation sheds light on the broader implications of gender equity in medical professions, highlighting the need for systemic changes that support women in achieving parity in specialized fields. As Vanesa prepares for her surgery, she serves as an inspiring figure for the next generation of female surgeons, demonstrating that persistence and passion are essential to overcoming the entrenched obstacles in their path to equality.