My Experience as a Transgender Orthopedic Surgeon

Description

In this heartfelt presentation, Tyler Tetreault, a pediatric spine surgeon, shares his journey as a transgender individual in the field of orthopedics. He starts with a warm greeting and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to speak on allyship and the challenges faced by the transgender community in medical settings. Tyler reflects on his upbringing, where gender was never a limiting factor, and shares anecdotes from his childhood and adolescence that shaped his understanding of his gender identity. As he recounts his path into orthopedics, he emphasizes the privilege he's experienced, contrasting with the hardships many in the transgender community face, such as violence and discrimination.



Tyler discusses realizing his transgender identity during medical school and residency, acknowledging the fear and uncertainty surrounding his career in a predominantly hyper-masculine field. He recounts the process of coming out to friends, mentors, and colleagues and highlights the supportive responses he received, which were crucial during his transition. He describes the importance of allyship in medicine and underscores the responsibilities that come with being a visible member of the transgender community in a medical profession.



Throughout his narrative, he touches on the complexities of navigating his identity in clinical environments, including instances of misgendering and the stress of adjusting to a new name and pronouns. Despite the hurdles, Tyler reflects on the support system he found in mentors and colleagues, which allowed him to grow and thrive in his field.



He also raises concerns about the current political climate concerning transgender rights, advocating for visibility and acceptance within the profession. Tyler expresses a commitment to continue advocating for LGBTQIA inclusion in medicine as he transitions into his career as a pediatric spine surgeon. He concludes by thanking the audience for their support and acknowledging the progress being made towards inclusivity in surgery, leaving them with a sense of hope for the future.

Specialties