WPS members and news highlights

July 2024

From WPS Chair Elisa Choi, MD, FACP, FIDSA

As we usher in this summer season (for those of us who live in parts of the country where there are seasons!), and make our way into the month of July, I want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer. For all those who start their residencies, fellowships and clinical rotations/clerkships, I am sending along an extra special congratulations to you as you start these important milestones in your careers as physicians. The vision of crisp white coats worn by third- and fourth-year medical students, medical residents and fellows in the hospitals and clinics is a familiar scene.

What is the significance of the white coat though, particularly for women physicians? I will share a personal reflection. If I do not wear my white coat at work, there is an extremely high likelihood I will not be identified as a physician nor called “doctor” by patients, by other employees―even by other colleagues―when I interact with them. I have experienced this untitling so frequently in the past that wearing my white coat is a necessity for appropriate professional identification. As is my ID badge that has “MD” on it.

This untitling phenomenon is rooted in societal gender bias about women, as illustrated in this other personal experience I want to share. I was attending a community event several years ago where I was not wearing my white coat, as I was participating at this event as a community member. Another attendee at this event started to feel unwell, and I was asked to help assess this other attendee, clinically, as the event’s organizers knew I was a physician. EMTs were called to assist, and as those EMTs (all men) approached me as I was assisting the other attendee who was feeling poorly, the EMTs asked me “are you a nurse?” I have always wondered, would the EMTs have asked a male colleague of mine, in the same situation, the same question, or would they have assumed that a male colleague would have been a physician? As a woman of Asian heritage, I’m also aware that the intersectional identities I hold―woman, person of color―are also even more likely to favor untitling.

This pervasive and insidious form of gender bias and discrimination has become better documented and recognized in medical literature. Women physicians are much less likely to be referred to by their professional title for grand rounds talks, particularly when introduced by male physicians. This untitling has even affected electronic health record patient portal messages, with patients more often addressing women physicians by first name, as compared to male physicians.

What can we do to eradicate unwelcome and unwanted untitling? It may require institutional level guidelines, i.e., all speakers are to be introduced by their professional titles, etc., but also individual efforts. Whatever gender one identifies as, be sure to acknowledge your colleagues’ professional titles when referring to them in a professional setting, and if uncertain, ask!

I wanted to acknowledge and spotlight several of our WPS members who have been selected and appointed to serve on our newly formed WPS Standing Committee―GRROWL (Growing the Reach and Representation of Women Leaders). There is much important work to do for this committee, and I want to thank each of these committee members for their efforts to advance the work of the WPS. More to come, as GRROWL starts to set its priorities and goals for the upcoming months.

• Deborah Fuller, MD, chair
• Nicole Henry-Dindial, MD
• Stacey Hunt, MD
• Medha Reddy, MD
• Sham Manoranjithan, M4 medical student

Thank you to those who responded to the call to join the WPS Policymaking Committee! We received many responses, and those who submitted their name and registered their interest in being part of the committee will be contacted soon for follow-up. The WPS looks forward to the engagement of this committee’s members to generate ideas/topics for future resolutions. Visit the WPS policymaking page to learn more. 

There are some upcoming deadlines and opportunities to engage with the WPS.

July 31, 2024

AMA Inspiration Award

The AMA WPS Inspiration Award honors and acknowledges physicians who have offered their time, wisdom and support throughout the professional careers of fellow physicians, residents and students. 

These individuals may have steered others into a specialty they love, help them find work/life balance or guided them through a professional society or served as an important role model. 

Aug. 15, 2024

Submit a resolution for the 2024 Interim Meeting

WPS representatives may submit resolutions for consideration at the Annual and Interim Meetings of the WPS assembly. The WPS has considered various topics such as gender equity, maternal discrimination, infertility and maternal mortality.

• WPS resolution template (DOCX)
• Submit a topic for consideration using the resolution idea tool (DOCX)

New to the policymaking process? Access our education module, How AMA Policy is Made, to learn how WPS members influence the AMA’s policymaking efforts.

Keeping with my goal for this year of the 3 Cs:  

• Collaborations
• Connections
• Community

WPS Governing Council members will be starting to reach out to other AMA sections, specialty and state societies in forthcoming weeks and months.

You can contact the WPS at [email protected] with your inquiries, feedback, comments and communications.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Have a happy, restful and enjoyable July!