Article Highlights

• Oculoplastic surgery demands high precision and fine motor skill, often drawing trainees interested in technically meticulous, anatomy-focused procedures.
• The gender distribution in ophthalmology has shifted significantly over the past 15 years, approaching parity and expanding mentorship opportunities for women in surgical fields.
• Structured mentorship — particularly for women and underrepresented trainees — remains critical to navigating surgical career pathways and improving workforce diversity.
• Ophthalmology can offer a comparatively favorable work-life balance among surgical specialties, supported by predictable schedules and institutional and family support systems.

In the most recent episode of Houston Methodist's "Women in Surgery" video series, Dr. Shlomit Schaal, chief physician executive, interviews Dr. Amina Malik, chief of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, about her background, career journey and the growing role of women in surgery.

"I was inspired to pursue medicine by my father, a urologist who came from Pakistan in the 1960s with just $20," says Dr. Malik.

She decided to specialize in ocular plastics after shadowing an oculoplastic surgeon and realizing she loved working with her hands. "It's a very fine surgical field that requires meticulous precision," she says of the challenging organ.

Dr. Malik highlights the advances in treating thyroid eye disease, which often requires complex surgeries. "Since 2020, we've had a medical treatment option which can reduce the need for surgery," she says. "Most patients, when asked, would prefer medication over surgery."

The conversation between Dr. Schaal and Dr. Malik, both surgeons in ophthalmology, also explores the rapidly climbing proportion of women in the field.

“I've been blessed with great mentors, and now I want to help others navigate this path.”

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Dr. Amina Malik
Chief of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery

"I was the only female in my residency class," says Dr. Malik. "Now, 15 years later, the field is almost evenly split between men and women. Having more women in ophthalmology allows us to mentor the next generation and show them there's a place for them here."

Balancing her career in oculoplastic surgery with her family life is something Dr. Malik works hard to achieve. "Ophthalmology is great for work-life balance," she says. "I'm home most evenings, and I've had great support from my family, especially my husband, who's also a physician."

As part of her commitment to mentorship, Dr. Malik actively participates in several mentorship programs, guiding young women and minority trainees through the challenges of a surgical career.

The ongoing Women in Surgery video series highlights the contributions of female surgeons at Houston Methodist, showcasing their dedication to advancing academics, research and patient care.