ENT Operating Room technician

I cannot match you experience exactly, but I can confirm that the medical field in general has rather fixed opinions about who belongs, and who does not. My husband has fought gender bias as a Certified Nursing Assistant/Restorative Aid/Medication Aid in a field dominated by women. When he tried to go to LPN school, about four years ago, he was driven out by age bias, at 58. It is too bad that people cannot appreciate quality technicians and employees because of certain prejudices. I can sympathize with you.