A note from the WPS chair
September 2025
From WPS Chair Elisa Choi, MD
Women in Medicine Month
Despite advances in gender equity, and women comprising more than 54% of medical students (in 2023-2024), women physicians still experience gaps in leadership, career advancement and pay. Women leave medicine at greater rates and account for only approximately one-third of the active physician workforce.
Every September we recognize Women in Medicine Month and celebrate the accomplishments, achievements and contributions women have made to our profession. Join us for educational content, leadership resources and opportunities to celebrate women in medicine. This year’s webinar is titled “The Future is FemTech: Women Shaping Digital Health,” and will take place Sept. 24 at noon Central.
WPS GC 'SHero' role models and mentors
Elizabeth Blackwell, MD
"The first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S. Her perseverance, despite entrenched gender bias, transformed health care and inspired generations of female physicians." (Shared by Shazia Pathan, MD.)
Frances Kelsey, MD, PhD
"Withstood relentless pharmaceutical and political pressure to deny thalidomide approval, saving countless children and reshaping U.S. drug safety when others demanded expedience." (Shared by Rachel Solnick, MD, MSc.)
Lauren Lepow, MD
"As one of my first female physician collaborators, she treated me, a pre-med many years her junior, with warmth and respect, valuing my perspective and inspiring the leader I hope to become." (Shared by Ariella Wagner.)
Marie Curie
"She made remarkable scientific achievements that led the way to modern cancer radiotherapy, was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and helped treat thousands of WWI soldiers." (Shared by Holly Grace, MD.)
Beverly Bryant, MD
"Her kindness, wisdom and belief in my “sparkle” inspired my path into psychiatry, showing how transformative mentorship can be." (Shared by Avani Patel, MD, MHA.)
Helen Brooke Taussig, MD
"Despite dyslexia and deafness, this pioneering female physician revolutionized pediatric cardiology, created life-saving heart surgery for 'blue babies,' and prevented thalidomide birth defects, becoming the American Heart Association's first female president." (Shared by Gloria Wu, MD.)
Altha Stewart, MD
"Embodies courageous, transformative leadership, breaking barriers in psychiatry, mentoring countless women physicians and championing culturally responsive care that uplifts underserved communities. She was the first African-American woman president of American Psychiatric Association." (Shared by Tiffani Bell Washington, MD, MPH, MBA.)
Margaret Chung, MD
"The first Chinese American woman physician surgeon, who overcame sexism and racism to role model service to community and country. She founded a western medicine clinic in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and she established WAVES, the women's volunteer emergency service branch of the United States Naval Reserve during World War II." (Shared by Elisa Choi, MD [she/her].)
GRROWL Committee 'SHero' role models and mentors
Esther Park, MD
"First Korean woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S., graduating from the Women's Medical College of Baltimore in 1900. She returned to Korea to practice Western medicine and to help train the next generation of female doctors."
Susan La Flesche Picotte, MD
"Was born on the Omaha reservation in northeastern Nebraska in 1865. She became the first Native American to earn a medical degree."
Who are your “SHero” women in medicine role models and mentors? Let us know at [email protected].
Serve on a WPS policy committee
The WPS House of Delegates (HOD) handbook review committees convene prior to each WPS meeting to review items of business under consideration by the HOD. Volunteer by Sept. 26, 2025, for the 2025 Interim Meeting and April 24, 2026, for the 2026 Annual Meeting.
Submit the WPS Handbook Review Committee volunteer sign-up form by Sept. 26, 2025. Contact WPS to learn more.
Contact and connect with the WPS
Visit the Women Physicians Section (WPS) leadership opportunities page to learn more about opportunities to engage with our WPS.
Keep in touch with us by joining the WPS GroupMe chat, or email us at [email protected].
