ADVOCATING FOR EACH OTHER & BUILDING COMMUNITY
Louisville Lady Docs and What it Means to our Community
by STEPHANIE HILL DAILEY , MD
The gender gap in physician burnout has been documented for years . In September 2023 , an article from the American Medical Association reported new data and shed more light on the issue . The proportion of female physicians expressing burnout continues to rise , but more importantly it continues to rise at a higher rate than that of male physicians . In summary , the gender gap is growing .
Reflecting on my own experiences , I entered medical school in 1999 and completed my fellowship in 2008 . During my time in training , I was encouraged to pursue my educational goals . When I went on interviews for residency and fellowship , I was often reminded that no one could ask me about my plans for a family and no one could use that fact to determine my eligibility for a position . While in the moment that was empowering , I later found it just the opposite . When I was pregnant with my first child , I was a first-year fellow . Suddenly , I felt a bit unsure . How was I going to do both of these very time-consuming jobs ? And how was I going to do them both well ? Then along came Nina Vasavada , MD . She was my attending , but she became so much more . Dr . Vasavada quickly became a very valuable friend and mentor . She openly shared how she balanced life and work . I will never forget the day when she politely excused herself for a moment in clinic to take a call regarding her young son . I remember the confidence and poise she expressed . She didn ’ t apologize for stepping away from the clinic . She was taking care of both aspects of life , and she was proud of both roles . During the two years of my fellowship , I soaked up all I could from Dr . Vasavada .
By 2010 , social media was beginning to soar . Turning to social media for information was becoming a new norm . In 2014 , the social media group Louisville Lady Docs was created . Since that time , I have been given the privilege of belonging to this wonderful support group . What exactly is “ Louisville Lady Docs ” and what does it do to support women in medicine ? It ’ s finding a sitter on a snow day when your day care is closed or finding an electrician that is reliable and trustworthy . It ’ s providing a safe place to discuss our different cultures or help finding a new home for the physician who is moving to Louisville , and much more .
Members of the group often gather to socialize and recharge . In August 2023 , several members met up at the Speed Art Museum . While there , we enjoyed great conversations and participated in art projects together . The group also holds bible study groups that are inclusive to all beliefs . Members often meet up for dinner , concerts and shows .
Louisville Lady Docs is a community for work-related topics as well . Just this week , a member posted that she was having difficulty getting a patient into a specialist in a timely manner . Within the hour , the member had connected with another member who was able to see her patient in just a few days . It is also a good forum to discuss interesting cases amongst multiple specialties .
The goal of Louisville Lady Docs is to support women in all aspects of life . It is the support system that Dr . Vasavada first introduced me to . When we know that we are not alone , we are less likely to experience burnout and we are more likely to stay in the workforce . We worked too hard and for too long to achieve the goal of becoming a physician . Now it ’ s time to work on sustaining that goal and that is exactly what Louisville Lady Docs is doing .
Dr . Dailey is a nephrologist with Kidney Care Consultants PSC and is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology .
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