Mentor Spotlight: Dr. Andrea Winthrop

About the Mentor

Dr. Andrea Winthrop is a pediatric surgeon at Kingston Health Sciences Center, Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario Canada. She graduated from Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario, and completed her general surgery residency at the University of Toronto, and pediatric surgery fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Dr. Winthrop is a Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at Queen’s University, and is currently the Director of Enhanced Clinical Experiences in the MD Program at Queen’s. Over several decades of practice, Dr. Winthrop has held many educational leadership positions at medical schools in both Canada and the United States, focusing on medical student education, surgical education, and mentoring medical students and residents pursuing careers in surgical disciplines. She frequently speaks on panels related to women in surgery, and surgery interest groups, as well as serving as faculty advisor for surgical enrichment opportunities for students.

Interview

Can you share your journey into surgery and what ultimately drew you to pediatric surgery?

When I was in high school, I wanted to be a pediatrician. I was accepted in to medical school at Queen’s after 2 years of undergraduate study. In my first year embryology course, my student group was assigned to a pediatric surgeon for a case study discussion. I was hooked from that point on. I was inspired by the fact that, as a pediatric surgeon, I could not only diagnose a problem, but actually fix it with a surgical intervention, and see the immediate results! And I loved the opportunity to meld my passion for the care of children with surgical patient care. Thereafter, my path was set and I never deviated. I connected with pediatric surgical mentors at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, focused on pursuing a surgical residency and pediatric surgical fellowship. During residency, I also participated in the University of Toronto Surgeon Scientist program, providing me with the skills to become an academic surgeon.

Looking back on your career so far, what experiences have been most meaningful to you?

As a female academic surgeon, I have been extensively involved in surgical education for trainees at all stages, in a variety of educational leadership roles. In fact, the latter is what motivated me to return to my Alma Mater from the United States. I find contributing to the training of future physicians, regardless of their career path, to be one of the most meaningful aspects of my career. And when the trainee has an interest in pursuing a surgical career, this is even more inspiring to me! I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the meaningful experiences associated with the clinical care of pediatric surgery patients over a more than 35 year career. I love being a pediatric surgeon. I love taking care of children, and continue to be rewarded every day when my surgical skills make a lifelong impact to improve the lives of children. When families reach out many years later to let me know how I have impacted their children’s life, this reminds me that I made the right choice!

What role has mentorship played in your own career, and how do you approach mentoring medical students and residents today?

During medical school, I did several electives at the Hospital for Sick Children, and identified two pediatric surgical mentors, both male gender. There were very few females in surgery at the time (late 70’s, early 80’s). Although surgery was still a predominantly male discipline, I felt well supported and encouraged to pursue my dream career. When entering surgical residency, mentorship continued to be very important, because female surgical residents were few in number. Early on, I realized that I would play a significant role in mentoring more junior  trainees of all genders (medical students and residents). I viewed myself as being a role model, particularly for female trainees who were hesitant to embark on a surgical career. To this day, I find this one of the most meaningful aspects of my career. I encourage all trainees to follow their passion, and tell them that gender should not be a factor in their career decisions. I not only offer to meet one-on-one with trainees to develop mentorship relationships, but also will frequently speak at many formal sessions focusing on surgical career exploration. I love to tell “my story” about my career journey. 

How have you seen the landscape change for women in surgery, and what work still needs to be done? 

Things have definitely changed over the 45 years since I graduated from medical school. There were only 18 female students out of a class of 75 students in my medical school class. Today, the majority of medical students in Canada are female. When I was a surgical resident, I was only one of 2 female surgical trainees in my residency year in Toronto. Although there is an increasing percentage of female surgical trainees in Canada in many disciplines, only General Surgery has reached > 50%. Based on the current percentage of practicing female surgeons in most disciplines, despite a slowly increasing percentage of female surgical residents, there will be a significant lag in reaching gender parity in the practicing surgical workforce. In Canada, many surgical disciplines will not reach gender parity for many decades. Further, female academic surgeons are still less likely to be promoted to high level academic ranks and/or leadership positions than their male counterparts. Therefore, mentorship remains key. In surgery, we still need to work to ensure equity in surgical training opportunities and career advancement where gender is not a factor.

What advice would you give to medical students who are interested in surgery but still wondering whether they “fit” in the field?

It is artificial to refer to a “fit” for a surgical career. I mentor medical students of all genders who are interested in pursing a surgical career, and I give them the same advice. Pursue your passion! To identify if a surgical career is the right decision for you, take advantage of opportunities for early career exploration, including observerships/shadowing, attending career events, becoming involved in clinical research projects, participating in surgical organizations that have medical student members or committees. Consider what is meaningful and important to you with respect to future career, practice setting, family planning, and lifestyle – including professional-personal balance (often referred to as work-life balance). If you are in the operating room at 2am and excited by what is happening – well surgery may be for you!

What is one piece of advice you would give your medical school or residency self?

Just like my current students, I would say the same things to my medical school/residency self: pursue your passion! Don’t be deterred by perceived roadblocks. Persist. And make sure to develop a support system outside of medicine – friends, family, life partner. 

About the Interviewer

Alexandra Hauser is a third-year medical student at Queen’s University School of Medicine in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. She completed her undergraduate studies in medical cell biology at Western University in London, Ontario where she developed an early interest in research, sustainability, and community-building. Alexandra came to medical school with broad interests in surgery and has become especially passionate about surgical sustainability, physician well-being, and quality improvement. Alexandra serves as the Central/Ontario Canada Region Representative on the AWS National Medical Student Committee for the 2026-2027 year. Outside of medicine, you can find Alexandra training for endurance races with the goal of one day completing a full Ironman triathlon.