The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) is proud to celebrate the national PBS premiere of 1001 Cuts, an award-winning documentary presented by KQED that shines a powerful light on the experiences of women in surgery and the ongoing pursuit of equity in medicine.
Beginning September 1, 2026, 1001 Cuts will air on PBS stations across the country in recognition of Women in Medicine Month and will also be available for streaming on PBS.org and the PBS App. View the press release.
The documentary was created and produced by AMWA member Dr. Sarah Temkin, a gynecologic oncologist, gender equity advocate, and first-time filmmaker. Drawing on her own experiences and those of women surgeons across the country, Dr. Temkin developed 1001 Cuts to examine the culture of surgery, the barriers women continue to face, and the opportunities to create more equitable workplaces for future generations.
AMWA is honored to serve as a national impact partner for 1001 Cuts, working alongside Video Project to advance conversations about equity, inclusion, and workplace culture in medicine. The organization has proudly supported the film through screenings, educational discussions, and its global impact campaign.
Through candid personal stories and interviews with physicians, educators, and researchers, the documentary explores the systemic barriers that continue to shape careers in surgery while highlighting the resilience, leadership, and determination of women transforming the profession. As the film demonstrates, improving workplace culture is not simply about fairness—it is about strengthening the future of healthcare. Research consistently shows that women physicians achieve outstanding patient outcomes, yet barriers to advancement remain. Addressing those barriers benefits physicians, patients, healthcare organizations, and future generations of medical professionals.
“We are excited to help bring 1001 Cuts to audiences across the country,” said AMWA Executive Director Dr. Eliza Lo Chin. “The stories shared in this film are both deeply personal and broadly relevant. They remind us that creating equitable workplaces is essential to advancing excellence in medicine and ensuring every physician has the opportunity to lead and succeed.”
AMWA encourages members, medical schools, residency programs, hospitals, and healthcare organizations to watch 1001 Cuts during Women in Medicine Month and use the film as a catalyst for discussions about mentorship, belonging, leadership, and institutional change.
The documentary premieres nationally on PBS beginning September 1, 2026. Check your local PBS listings for broadcast times or stream the film on PBS.org and the PBS App.
Thanks to the support of AMWA members and allies for supporting the PBS production effort: Dr. Paulette Cazares and Jeremy Cazares, Drs. Eliza Lo Chin and Douglas Chin, Dr. Nancy RG Church and Charles Cranston Jett, Dr. Roberta Gebhard and Greg Gebhard, Drs. Farzanna Haffizulla and Jason Haffizulla, Drs. Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber and Paul Kirchgraber, Drs. Connie Newman and Jonathan Tobert, Dr. Jane Petro, Drs. Ankita Sagar and Vaibhav Malankar, Dr. Kim Templeton, and Dr. Nicole Bentze.
