FemInEM Idea Exchange 2019 Recap
The 2019 FemInEM Idea Exchange (FIX) was an incredible success! This year’s conference was held at the Grand Hyatt in New York City from September 15 -17, 2019. The Emory Department of Emergency Medicine was well represented with 13 faculty members and one soon to be faculty member, Dr. Nicole Battaglioli in attendance. The FIX conference differs from other conferences in that more sensitive, yet vital, topics that primarily impact women are discussed in a safe space.
Speakers presented various topics that highlighted not only equity for women in medicine but equity for all, including our most vulnerable patients to whom we work hard to render appropriate health care management and treatment. Examples of topics covered included violence in medicine, racial and gender inequality, climate change, and the importance of female physicians getting involved in leadership and policymaking. Importantly, our own Drs. Lall and Osborne gave incredible and thought-provoking presentations. Dr. Lall spoke on how anger can allow women to be more effective, while Dr. Osborne’s presentation on BRUH (yes, ask him what it means) spoke on how men can better respond to and treat the women they work and live with.
Attendees from Emory EM
- Drs. Michelle Lall
- Anwar Osborne
- Sheryl Heron
- Nicole Franks
- Megan Henn
- Samantha Strickler
- Vanessa Cousins
- Bijal Shah
- Kristen Moore
- Amy Zeidan
- Deepa Patel
- Jennifer Robertson
Many other Emory EM colleagues were instrumental in planning, speaking, and sponsoring the event. The WEM-PWRDD leaders, Drs spearheaded the event. Annika Backster and Henn. Dr. Backster wrote the proposal and with the support of Drs. Henn, Heron and Lall and our department made it happen. We are very grateful to Dr. David Wright (Interim Chair) and the Department of EM, as Emory EM was one of the highlighted sponsors of FIX 19.
Additionally, Dr. Zeidan was a planning committee member, and Dr. Heron was a coach for two of the speakers. Dr. Strickler organized a dinner at the event and as a surprise, our former chair, Dr. Heilpern, made a guest appearance!
We hope that FIX2020 will be an even greater success with more Emory involvement and speakers. If you are interested in speaking, please contact Dr. Lall and mark your calendars for FIX2020, scheduled for September 2020 in Chicago.