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.