News for Women Physicians

Recognize a physician who helped you succeed in medicine

Who has made a difference in your professional journey—inspiring you to reach your goals, teaching you to excel in your field or mentoring you through the challenges of the profession? You can thank those physicians today by nominating them for an AMA mentor award.

The Physician Mentor Recognition Program, created by the AMA Women Physicians Congress, provides an opportunity to recognize the physicians who have contributed in unsung ways to your success in medicine. The 2012 honorees will be recognized in November at the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Honolulu. They also will be celebrated during Women in Medicine Month, which is observed in September.

Previous honorees have been nominated by medical students and physicians they helped steer to a specialty they have come to love, find a work-life balance or inspired as a role model in medicine.

Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Delora L. Mount, MD, was among the 14 physicians honored last year. A teacher at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Dr. Mount was nominated by three different young physicians.

"As the only female faculty member in our division, she has been a friend, confidante and mentor to all of our female residents," Carolyn R. Rogers, MD, wrote in her nomination.

Dr. Rogers further explained how Dr. Mount had even paid out of her own pocket for several female residents to attend a specialty conference "because she believes so strongly in helping female surgeons develop tools to succeed."

Take a moment today to show your mentor your appreciation by submitting a nomination form, including a brief description of how he or she has made a difference in your life. The program is accepting nominations for this year's honorees through Aug. 15.

Any member of the AMA Women Physicians Congress is eligible to nominate one or more male or female physician mentors. Women physicians and medical students who are AMA members are automatically part of the 67,000 member section, and male AMA members also may elect to participate in the section. Not an AMA member? Join today.

Governing Council Chair recaps recent AMA-WPC events

A message from AMA Women Physicians Congress Governing Council Chair Claudia Reardon, MD, highlights the group's recent activity during this year's Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. In her post-meeting recap, Dr. Reardon describes the AMA-WPC's policy work along with its popular caucus/reception and educational session event entitled "Negotiation and the Gender Divide: The Power to Get What you Really Want."

Dr. Reardon also encourages AMA-WPC members to participate in the group's next caucus and reception, scheduled for Nov. 10 in Honolulu in conjunction with this year's Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates. Email the AMA-WPC for more information.