Women in Medicine Month

Why did you decide to become a doctor? 

In middle school, when my grades plummeted and I became anorexic, no one bothered to ask why. Everyone just told me this was expected: Girls reach their ceilings right around puberty. My teachers told me I should go to a trade school so that I could find a factory job to support myself, because I simply was not intelligent enough to get into high school or college. I ignored their advice, and got into high school and then college — to everyone’s surprise.

Years later, I realized I probably suffered from depression (not low intelligence) from being bullied in school, but at the time I was surrounded by people who did not have a good understanding of the importance of mental health was. That is why I decided to become a psychiatrist to help girls like me. However, in medical school, I realized my mind was not strong enough to become a psychiatrist, but I enjoyed helping women and I loved reproductive biology. So I became an ObGyn instead and later sub-specialized in REI so that I can dive deeper into reproductive sciences while helping women.

Why is it important to mentor and uplift women in medicine? 

Without my mentors, I would have quit medicine long time ago. My best mentors have one thing in common: They believe in me, often more than I believe in myself. This kind of unwavering confidence in my abilities is more than uplifting; it’s downright career- and life-changing. They treat me as a friend or a family member, reach out to me over the years, and create opportunities for me. The support they give me is unconditional.

This is what I strive to do for people I have the privilege to mentor. I don’t think people will remember the medical knowledge or the surgical skills you teach them, but they will remember the important life lessons you share with them, or those moments when they’re thinking of quitting but didn’t because you were there for them. If I can do that even for just one person, then I can say I have succeeded as a mentor.

What can we do better to encourage more women to become clinicians and physician scientists?

Having more women in the leadership roles or higher academic ranks to serve as role models for younger women is critical. Nothing is more empowering than seeing others who look like you or had similar experiences have succeeded. Women have the natural ability of caring for and collaborating with others, so we are born clinicians and physician scientists. The world would be missing out if women are not part of the medical community. If we can show with our own examples how joyful, rewarding and impactful our work is, then we can attract more young women to join our community.  Really, I can’t think of any other career where you get to touch people’s lives like medicine.

The best part of being in academic medicine is that you will never have a boring day.  You can take care of patients, do clinical or basic research, mentor trainees, and lead a team, often all within one day! Isn’t that the most meaningful job one can possibly have?

Why did you decide to become a doctor?

Even as a young person, I was always the little nurturer and care giver of all the kids around me. As I grew older, I loved studying science, thinking out of the box and collaborating with amazing people. Becoming a doctor seemed like the perfect career fit where my avocation could be my vocation. 

Why is it important to mentor and uplift women in medicine?

Our jobs in medicine are unique and challenging on many levels. We manage simultaneous moving parts — our work, homes, families, and the many facets of everyday life.  As colleagues, together, we share our journeys and vulnerabilities as we build and strengthen relationships.  We understand and empower each other. We listen and guide each other. Other times, we help find support and resources. Through mentorship, we foster connection, give balance, and find meaning in our work. Through these relationships, we optimize our ability to have a fulfilling career and joyful life.

What can we do better to encourage more women to become clinicians and physicians?

As women, it is essential to encourage and empower other women to choose a career in medicine. Women in medicine enjoy the ability to make meaningful impacts in people’s lives. We often see people at their most vulnerable moments and facing their most difficult life challenges. Our work gives us meaning and purpose. Being a physician is a truly rewarding career that brings tremendous satisfaction on a personal level. As a healer, we touch lives and improve the world we live in.

Why did you decide to become a doctor?

It was definitely a process. My undergrad degree was in psychology. I had planned to become a PhD psychologist, but working for a year in a psychiatric hospital after college piqued my interest in medicine. I owe my entire career to the pre-med advisor at my local university. I made an appointment with him, expecting him to tell me that medical school was a pipe dream. I was completely surprised when he encouraged me to apply, and even more surprised when, after 3 semesters of all science prerequisites, I was accepted! As a med student, I considered becoming a trauma surgeon—I loved the pace and the high acuity. But the politics of women’s health care will always resonate with me. I knew I wanted to spend my career empowering women.

Why is it important to mentor and uplift women in medicine?

It’s important to uplift and mentor every single human being to be the most complete expression of themselves. We all benefit, individually and societally, when we support each individual to use their talents. We shouldn’t blame white men for their privilege, because that was simply the way the world was back in the day. But now we must do better. We must amplify the voices of those traditionally marginalized in order to right those wrongs. In medicine, patients have better outcomes when cared for by someone who looks like them. Research agendas have changed with the recognition that women subjects are different from men. Imagine a world in which everyone fully contributes their unique brilliance! It’s mind-boggling.

What can we do better to encourage more women to become clinicians and physicians?

It starts early. Nothing is more powerful than seeing someone you can relate to doing what you aspire to do. We must provide that role modeling each step of the way, from K-12 all the way up to senior women faculty mentoring and sponsoring junior women faculty. Life is about relationships—no one accomplishes anything solely through their own efforts. Those of us in senior positions got there with the support of our mentors. So when we pay it forward we honor them, plus we get the incredible satisfaction of watching our own mentees shine!