Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month and the countless contributions women have made across all parts of society, including health care. One such area where women have made remarkable strides is in the field of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN).
Sarah McMahon, MD, an OB/GYN at AdventHealth Medical Group OB/GYN at DTC, has been practicing for five years. During this time, she has seen an increase in women's representation and impact in the specialty.
The field of OB/GYN has traditionally been dominated by men, but the landscape has been changing rapidly since 2000. In 2004, 38% of OB/GYN providers were female, and by 2022, that number had risen to 62%.
Dr. McMahon is part of that statistic, deciding to pursue this specialty to help and care for women across their lifespans.
“Women are incredible, and their bodies are capable of amazing things,” said Dr. McMahon. “I feel privileged to be a part of my patients' birth journeys and assist them through major life changes such as pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and eventually the menopausal transition.”
Dr. McMahon was inspired by her mother’s career as a pediatrician to pursue a career in health care, motivated by the compassion and care she witnessed firsthand.
She believes that the increase in women pursuing OB/GYN careers is a result of more women attending medical school and getting opportunities they hadn’t received before.
“The 2025 data shows that 55% of enrolled medical students are female, which is awesome. I think female physicians tend to gravitate to the field of OB/GYN because they can relate to the issues that many women face,” said Dr. McMahon.
The sensitive nature of OB/GYN, which involves caring for patients during some of their best and worst times, makes the presence of female physicians particularly important and in Dr. McMahon’s opinion the increased representation of women in OB/GYN has had a positive impact on patient care.
According to a 2021 study by Cureus, many women prefer having a female physician due to the intimate nature of the field, and female OB/GYNs are often viewed as more relatable.
Despite the progress made, there are still challenges to be addressed in the field of women's health and OB/GYN.
“Maternal morbidity rates in the United States are too high, and dedicated initiatives and advocacy are needed to improve these statistics,” said Dr. McMahon. “Female OB/GYNs are often at the forefront of these efforts, advocating for better health care policies and practices to ensure the well-being of their patients.”
Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of women, and the rise of female OB/GYNs is a testament to the progress made towards gender equality in medicine.
As we honor the past and look to the future, let us continue to support and uplift the women who dedicate their lives to providing exceptional whole-person care and advocating for women's health.
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Sarah McMahon, MD, is an experienced OB/GYN caring for women of all ages. Dr. McMahon provides comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic care, including pregnancy, childbirth, routine well-women care and gynecologic procedures. She is trained in routine and advanced gynecologic procedures, including but not limited to laparoscopy, robotics, hysterectomy, endometrial ablation, hysteroscopy and endometriosis excision.
Dr. McMahon is passionate about women’s health. She was drawn to gynecology because of her desire to have impactful relationships with her patients for a lifetime. She loves the diverse medical challenges in this field and finds her job to be engaging and dynamic. She finds it a true joy to come to work each day.
Dr. McMahon earned her medical degree from the Florida State University College of Medicine and completed her residency at Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She is also a member of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons. She participates in projects that align with community health priorities like food security, mental health and access to care.
