The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) was founded in 1915 by Dr. Bertha Van Hoosen at a time when women physicians were scarce. Their mission then and continues to be “to advance women in medicine, advocate for equity, and ensure excellence in health care.” In 2019, over a hundred years after the organization began, there were more females in medical school than males. UNE COM’s current first-year class is over 70% female. It is evident that we are the product of the efforts made by the women before us. This is why we have AMWA in places like UNE COM, to continue to provide a safe space for women to build their careers and take up positions of leadership in medicine.
Our AMWA chapter continues to grow as we strive to emulate their original mission by advocating for and educating our colleagues, our future physicians, on women’s health. Some of the notable events this year include inviting Dr. Diana Halloran, a resident physician from Northwestern’s Emergency Department, speak on "Physician Burnout and Mental Health.” Dr. Halloran emphasized the importance of advocating for your mental and physical health throughout residency. We also collaborated with the OBGYN club to host Nina Ashford who spoke on “Black Maternal Health in America.” Nina spoke about the high mortality rate Black women face during pregnancy and birth and how we can spark change moving forward as future physicians. We also held Polly Campbell, director of Advanced Nursing Education, to educate my colleagues and I on “Treating Victims of Non-Fatal Strangulation.” This came after hosting the opportunity to volunteer this past summer at a 5K dedicated to raising funds for Caring Unlimited, a domestic violence resource center in the area. My E-board and I were thrilled with the attendance for these events, which were made successful by the efforts of our other club members.
Mentoring is also an important part of AMWA. I went to an all-women’s college where I was able to take on a role as a mentor for younger students who were interested in pursuing medicine and through this experience gained a new perspective on the value of empowerment. As president, I wanted to bring that same energy to UNE COM and provide a safe and comfortable space for women to grow. Our AMWA chapter at UNE COM has historically been a part of a mentoring initiative every year where we host a networking brunch or dinner event in which female physicians, some of whom are alumna, are invited to collaborate with first and second-year medical students. The event provides a safe space for students to ask questions on navigating their future career and learn from the women before them. It is very empowering to be in a room full of women in medicine, at all different levels, sharing thought-provoking discussions in order to pave the way for the next generation of physicians. This year we had our largest number of students in attendance!
Through these experiences, I have gained so much knowledge about myself and how I want to approach my career. I hope that the future brings equity for women in medicine. I hope that one day there will be adequate time for women to take off after birth to spend healing and bonding with their child. I hope that women will not be shamed for ‘choosing a career over having a family.’ I hope that women in medicine will be paid the same salary as their male counterparts, especially for women of color who are not paid the same as their other female colleagues. I hope that women continue to take up positions of leadership and that women continue to use their voice and take up space.
As I continue on in my career, I see myself advocating for my future patients through education, providing informed consent for my patients so that they are able to make appropriate health care decisions. Everyone deserves the right to make decisions for themselves surrounding their health. I want to continue to advocate for women’s ability to make those decisions by lobbying for our rights. I will also continue to celebrate and support my future female colleagues and their achievements—to share the accomplishments of my colleagues and empower them to strive for excellence.
As our club elections for the next Executive Board take place, I continue to be inspired by the women who are coming after me. Their ideas are bold and bright and I am excited to see where they take us.