Women Who Use Their Bodies For Work
Style website Refinery29 featured Tracy-Ann Moo, M.D. as part of a feature on Women Who Use Their Bodies For Work. Moo, 36, a breast surgeon, is seven months pregnant with her first child.
Tracy-Ann Moo, M.D
What is your favorite body part and why?
“Right now, my tummy. It's changed so much and brings me so much happiness when I feel my little one moving.”
What body part(s) do you rely on to do your job?
“My eyes and my hands. Surgery is both an art and science; I couldn't do my job without both.”
Why did you decide to become a surgeon? Why did you choose to focus on breast health?
“I loved the intensity and pace of surgery. It's also a field of medicine in which you can immediately see the results of your intervention on the disease process. I chose specifically breast-cancer surgery because I love working with women, and I find great satisfaction in not just curing a disease that affects so many of us, but also forming long-term relationships with many of my patients. It's immensely gratifying to see a women who's completed all her treatment, put the disease behind her, and is going on with her life.”
You work in a very male-dominated industry. Has that changed the way you think about your body?
“Not really. It's definitely affirmed for me that despite the physical differences between our sexes, women can be just as effective as men at tasks that can be quite demanding physically.”
Has your pregnancy changed the way you work or approach your career?
“My pregnancy, and the physical changes that have come with it, has helped me to appreciate the challenges unique to being a women in the workplace. You find yourself pushing through your day just like you did before, even though it becomes physically more taxing.”
Would you recommend young women pursue a career as a surgeon?
“Yes, I love my job. Even the toughest days are made better by hearing your patient say 'thank you.'”