September is Women in Medicine Month, a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of women in the field of medicine. This month highlights the achievements, challenges, and the essential role women play in providing critical care in high-pressure environments. It's also an opportunity to advocate for gender equity, support women physicians, and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in emergency medicine.
In 1990, as a professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine's Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Sue Combs saw a need to create a space for women to connect and gather. She began hosting small groups of women in her home to share their experiences as women physicians. At the time, the group numbered fewer than ten. The group's goal was to transform the field of emergency medicine.
“Women are such an important part to provide that first line care to our patients,” said Dr. Julie Welch.
Several years after residents and faculty met in informal settings, the need for a formal mentoring program became apparent. As such, Drs. Julie Welch, Sue Combs, Marla Doehring, Melanie Heniff, Louise Kao, Kristine Nañagas, Victoria Palmer-Smith, and Mary Wermuth established the Women in Emergency Medicine (Women in EM) Program. Although their vision was lofty, 20 years later, the group has grown tremendously.
“A huge accomplishment is having measurable outcomes that show the group’s worth and value.”
Dr. Kayla Nussbaum, an IUEM faculty member, shares her experience being involved in the program saying, "The Women in EM program provides invaluable support, mentorship, and sponsorship. The program extends beyond academics and even beyond emergency medicine. It cultivates a safe place for women physicians to grow together and build each other up. It was one of my favorite parts of IUEM as a resident and I am so overjoyed to pay it forward as faculty."
Women in EM was driven by a shared vision for addressing gender disparities and creating equitable policies and practices, including working toward better maternity policies for women in the workplace. The mission is to provide a supportive environment for personal and professional development. The primary focus is to initiate and cultivate mentoring relationships between women faculty, residents, medical students, spouses, staff, and alums. The program addresses topics pertinent to shared experiences and promotes advocacy, skill-building, recognition, advancement, sponsorship, and gender equity.
“We believe so much in mentorship and the goals of the program are to mentor the next generation of women physicians, to advocate for equitable policies and practices and that’s what we have done over time. It's what we will continue to do,” said Dr. Welch.
A former resident, Dr. Theresa Spech dos Santos, expressed her gratitude for the program's flexible scheduling policies while pregnant, saying, "I received immense support from the residency program during my intern year when I found out I was pregnant. We explored the options available for leave and chose the option that best aligned with my goals. The chiefs and program directors worked with me to adjust my scheduling early to give me six weeks free from inpatient clinical duties while still keeping me on track to graduate on time. The policy of avoiding overnight calls in the third trimester was also much appreciated. I can't emphasize enough my gratitude for the support I received during my recovery."
In addition to advocating for better workplace policies, the group discusses defining success, advancement and leadership, time management, and handling life stressors. The efforts of Women in EM in these areas were not only effective but also groundbreaking. In 2012, the group published an article outlining their innovative gender mentoring program, which contributed significantly to the broader conversation about gender equity in medicine. By 2015, the department was recognized by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine's Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM) for its exemplary policies and practices supporting women's advancement in the field.
Dr. Welch, the leader of Women in EM, hopes the impact of the group will continue for years to come, saying, "It's all about leaving this place better than other women have seen it before."
As the Women in EM celebrates its 20th anniversary, it stands as a nationally recognized group for promoting gender equity and inclusion in emergency medicine, continuing to inspire and support future generations of women in the specialty.