Without funding, Rashmi Kudesia, MD, would not have been able to lead research into the reproductive knowledge, barriers and outcomes among female U.S. medical students and trainees. As a past recipient of the Joan F. Giambalvo Fund for the Advancement of Women, she was able to “think big” to help make a difference in this critical issue for women in medicine. This year’s fund application deadline is July 31.
“The support was instrumental in affording us the resources to incentivize medical students, residents and fellows to take the time out of their busy schedules to participate in the work,” said Dr. Kudesia, a 2013 recipient of the fund.
The program is unique in that it offers funding specifically for health care researchers to identify and address the issues that affect women physicians and medical students. Established by the AMA Women Physicians Section (WPS) in conjunction with the AMA Foundation, the goal of the program is to promote women in the medical profession and strengthen the ability of the AMA to identify and address the needs of women physicians and medical students.
“There aren’t many resources focused toward research on female physicians,” said Dr. Kudesia. “As such, though issues affecting us are often discussed between colleagues, mentors/mentees and at events … there isn’t much focus on doing the research to investigate the problems or solutions.”
View a presentation about Dr. Kudesia’s research. Other topics explored by recent winners include flexible work options, gender differences in the practice patterns of OB-GYNs, and promotion and retention of diversity in medical education.
“Given the historic nature of being a male-dominated field and the all-encompassing nature of medical training even now—but particularly prior to work-hour reform—some female students or physicians deal with supervisors that have somewhat anachronistic views or expectations,” Dr. Kudesia said. “Though the fund is tailored to address the needs of women physicians and students, I think it is critical to remember that all of us—men and women—do share in these concerns and benefit from the work it supports.”
