AMSA Women's Empowerment Institute

Women Leaders Changing the Face of Medicine

Washington, DC

INTRODUCTION

The need for women leaders in medicine is critical.  Although more women are pursuing a medical education, gender inequalities persist within nearly all health care professions. The dearth of women is most glaring in more competitive fields and in academic positions: for example, women comprise 30% of general surgery residents and only 2% of MD faculty in orthopaedic surgery.  A little over 10% of medical school deans are women. The under-representation of minority women is particularly striking. Among female physicians, only 4% are Black, 2% Hispanic, and 0.2% Native American, although they constitute 14.8%, 13.4% and 1.5%, respectively, of the total population. 

The lack of women in leadership positions within medicine is detrimental to both the medical profession and our basic understanding of women's health. For example, historically women were included in very few clinical studies, yet nearly all treatment, screening, and prevention findings from male populations were extrapolated to females.  Women physicians were among the first to advocate for a clearer understanding of the role of gender and sex in biology and medicine. 

The Women’s Empowerment Institute (WEI) is designed to provide an opportunity for diverse female physicians-in-training to gain experiences, skills, and knowledge that will help them become leaders and change the face of medicine in meaningful ways.  The Institute emphasizes the myriad forms that change can take while encouraging individuals to start thinking creatively and realistically about how they might achieve their goals.  In addition, the Institute focuses on building a network of current and future leaders to provide ongoing support for personal and professional development in the many fields and roles we may come to inhabit during our careers.

DESCRIPTION

WEI is a 3-day leadership-building experience consisting of opportunities to meet and interact with current leaders in medicine, skill-building workshops, educational lectures, and a lobby day on Capitol Hill.  In the past, the Institute has reflected a diversity of themes centered around making positive change, including "Community Development through Empowerment" and "Developing Tomorrow's Women Leaders in Medicine."  Additionally, the Institute serves as a weekend of support, camaraderie, and inspiration.

The 2010 Women's Empowerment Institute will take place in February of 2010, date TBA.  Applications will be due in late December or early January.  Keep your eyes posted here for more information!

The Women’s Empowerment Institute aims to:

• Assemble a diverse group of women who enhance each other’s knowledge and strengths through sharing stories
• Inspire and empower tomorrow's women leaders in medicine to effect change (in your communities and abroad)
• Foster a network of women leaders to provide ongoing peer support and mentoring
• Improve recognition of the need for more women leaders in medicine
• Aid in the development and implementation of tangible projects oriented toward affecting long-standing change

If selected, you will be encouraged to:

• Enact your plan for change, be it personal, professional, political, or community-based
• Attend the AMSA National Convention in Washington, DC, in March
• Be a resource for women within your community and in your region  
• Actively plan and implement events addressing issues of women's health at your institution and/or within your local community

If you have questions, please contact Margaret Reynolds May, margaret.reynolds.may@gmail.com.