Emory Alliance for Women in Medicine and Science Newsletter
March 2024
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Happy Women's History Month!
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Many exceptional Emory School of Medicine rising star female faculty members were interviewed in celebration and honor of International Women's Day (March 8) and Women's History Month. These inspirational and enlightening interviews are posted online in full, but we’re happy to bring you the highlights below.
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Dr. Ade Akhetuamhen (emergency medicine) shared this advice for other women, "My momma's best advice to me is “If you don’t take care of yourself then who will?” As tempting as it can be, you can’t pour from an empty cup. I’ve learned that I can better serve my patients when I’m mindful of my own wellbeing and needs."
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When asked, are there unique contributions that being a woman allows you to bring to science or medicine, Dr. Jimena Andersen (human genetics) says, "I believe that bringing in different perspectives to science and to the lab goes hand-in-hand with research success. Being Latina, a woman, and an immigrant are all a part of those perspectives for me."
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When asked, what are you most passionate about in your field, Dr. Caroline Collins (medicine) says, "I am deeply passionate about the integration of Lifestyle Medicine into the practice of primary care as well as the transformative power of Lifestyle Medicine in our ability to support patients on their journey towards a healthier, happier life. The core of my enthusiasm lies in empowering individuals to take charge of their health, guiding them to make sustainable lifestyle changes that not only improve their well-being but also have the potential to reverse chronic diseases. Witnessing the positive impact these changes bring to someone's life is incredibly rewarding. It reaffirms my commitment to this field and fuels my dedication to continue advocating for lifestyle medicine approaches."
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Dr. Jesse Conyers (radiology and imaging sciences) says that her unique contributions that being a woman brings to medicine as a palliative care physician are: "Being a woman requires resilience. I believe women bring unique perspectives to science and medicine which enhance patient care and innovation. The contributions women make to science and medicine are boundless, including compassionate care, impactful communication, and visionary leadership."
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Dr. Sarah Dupont (family and preventative medicine) is most passionate about "the very personal, everyday interactions with my patients and figuring out ways to help them live their lives as fully as possible. I am also passionate about looking at our existing systems and processes for primary care and figuring out ways to advocate for change for more equitable, sustainable, and high-quality healthcare."
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When asked, who has inspired you in your drive to advance, Dr. Nandini Govil (otolaryngology) says, "My mom was the first physician in her family, and the first woman to go to graduate school. She credits a lot of her drive to my grandfather, who prioritized education for his daughters, a very progressive idea for India in the 1950s to 1970s. My mom also was the first left-handed person (that we know of) in her family and learned to suture and operate in medical school with her non-dominant hand, since it was taboo to operate left-handed during that time in India. She then raised three children in 4 different countries and completed 2 different residency programs. She still works in a hospital in inner city Philadelphia as an internal medicine specialist. I have always been in awe of all the barriers and “glass ceilings” that my mom has surpassed."
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Dr. Aparna Mark (family and preventative medicine) shares what she is most passionate about in her field: "I am passionate about the development of primary care as the foundation and basis for high quality healthcare provision in the US. As a UK trained physician, I've been afforded perspectives that have really shaped how I value and believe in primary care as the cornerstone of healthcare delivery. I'm excited about the future of primary care and development within Emory and I'm motivated as a leader in primary care to educate about and recruit into the specialty. On a daily basis it is my patient and team relationships, the ability to provide continuity of care and the challenge of maintaining a broad medical knowledge base that drives me as a primary care physician. I find it very rewarding to be able to manage whatever comes into my exam room and to continue my lifelong learning journey every day."
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Dr. Saima Muzahir's (radiology and imaging sciences) advice to other women following her career path is, "I would advise women, especially young women that perseverance and staying positive is the key to success. It is important to identify and claim one's role at the table and leading by example. However, it is equally as important to create opportunities to uplift other women in leadership roles and build a strong network of support."
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When asked, who has inspired you in your drive to advance, Dr. Nadi Kaonga (gynecology and obstetrics) says, "I have a whole team of supporters and inspiration! If I had to choose one person, though, it would be my late mum – Dr. Bochiwe Hlezipi Hara-Kaonga. She was brilliant, wise, industrious, caring and so unbelievably strong. There were never any limits – in personal and professional growth and development – and she made sure I knew that. She (along with my dad) also reminded me to remain humble and grounded and to always remember our ancestry and heritage because in order to know where to go, I must always remember who I am and where I am from."
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Dr. Katherine Pickard (pediatrics) states within her field she is most passionate about, "Many autistic children and their families will not access services in specialty settings for any number of structural, systemic, or personal reasons. I believe that families should be able to access high-quality and culturally-responsive care within their own communities and believe that we can partner with communities and educational systems to figure out the most efficient and effective methods by which to increase access to care in these settings. The two main topics that I particularly enjoy are developing interventions that are adaptable to the needs of families and communities, and in developing strategies that help community providers more easily learn and use evidence-based care."
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Dr. Rossana Sanchez Russo (human genetics) was asked about the unique contributions that being a woman allows you to bring to science or medicine. She shares, "As a Hispanic woman growing up outside of the US, I have some insight into the barriers that minority and immigrant populations face in their care. In the clinic, this insight drives me to spend additional time talking to my patients with complex diseases and go beyond genetics and into social determinants of health. I strive to promote equity and inclusion for people living with disabilities. I also strive to promote equity and inclusion for women because I did live, and witness disparities based on sex during my early carrier years. I now know how to recognize them, ameliorate them and can talk to other women about them too. I’m lucky that I am now part of a very diverse and inclusive team."
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Dr. Nitya Shah (pediatrics) says "The best advice I have received as a woman in medicine is to never stop believing in myself. Despite the extra hurdles we may face along the way, whether on systemic, organizational, or personal levels, we are fully capable of achieving the same levels of success as those around us and deserve every opportunity to do so. The barriers and limits we encounter along the way ideally should serve as motivators to change the system and make our mark on society so that future generations can thrive."
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When asked, what are you most passionate about in her field, Dr. Veketa Smith (family and preventative medicine) says, "I am passionate about championing diversity in the PA profession and the importance of training and supporting diverse and well-equipped PAs to provide excellent patient care and contribute to the diversity of the healthcare provider population. I find this vital to combatting the health disparities and inequities we continue to face in many communities."
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When asked, what unique contributions does being a woman allow you to bring to science or medicine, Dr. Marina Sorrentino (medicine) says, "Despite all the recent improvements, women are still underrepresented in academic medicine and in the medical field in general. This inequity has a huge impact in promotion, mentorship, leadership roles and has even historically affected our ability to understand the biology of sex differences as an important variable in medical research. I believe that having more women working in medicine and stepping into leadership positions has a great potential to inspire and encourage other women to pursue a career in academic medicine. Importantly, having more representation in the field can also help us to significantly advance the scientific knowledge of disease processes that disproportionally, differentially or even exclusively affect women."
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Dr. Jade Stafford (gynecology and obstetrics) shares what she is most passionate about in her field: “I am passionate about reducing disparities in women's health. As a black OB/GYN physician, I aim to provide culturally competent care to all of my patients, especially those from underserved communities. I seek to improve outcomes in obstetric and gynecologic care and participate in research aimed at improving postpartum conditions and fibroid care. I also seek opportunities to teach the next generation of physician leaders on and off the wards about the compassionate care of women and improving outcomes.”
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Dr. Rebecca Woo's (psychiatry and behavioral sciences) advice for women is to “Do what's right for you. Don't make decisions or sacrifices because you feel pressured to. Once you accept the fact that there's never enough of you to go around and you're doing the best you can, you can enjoy what you have even more.”
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When asked, who has inspired you in your drive to advance, Dr. Rachel Yosick (pediatrics) says, "From a very young age, my parents instilled in me the idea that I could become whatever I wanted. While acknowledging I am the recipient of much privilege, I am also forever grateful that my parents instilled a sense of power and confidence in me as a young woman. Their guidance, as well as the work of countless other women who paved the way of opportunity before me, enabled me to believe that as a woman I could advance in whatever field I chose. Throughout my professional career, I was mentored by several brilliant woman who were my teachers, coaches, and biggest cheerleaders. In my current role, I’m thankful to have the support of several wise, talented female leaders who provide mentorship on what it means to be a woman in academic medicine and in leadership."
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Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
March 12 | 2- 3:30 pm | Register in Brainier (search course title)
During this training Emory University’s employees will explore how their identities, and the identities of their peers, impact their daily work and experiences. Participants will explore the value of diverse perspectives and learn about the positive impact of an inclusive work environment. Through interactive exercises and discussion, attendees will gain practical knowledge on how they can support Emory’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and make meaningful changes in their own spheres of influence.
Registration via Brainier is required to participate.
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Healthy Emory 101 Webinar
March 12 | 3:30 - 4:30 pm | Online
Learn about Healthy Emory 2024 to prioritize your health and well-being. Learn more about the medical plan incentives, rewards, and ways to improve employee health and well-being in financial, emotional & mental, physical, social & community, and learning & career.
More information
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AAMC 2024 Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar
July 16-19, 2024 | Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA
The AAMC Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar will provide strategies and resources you need to navigate determining what steps to take to advance along your path to leadership, while developing a strategic career plan to achieve your leadership goals.
Learn more
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Celebrate Women’s History Month with these events around Emory
Learn more
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