Women in Medicine
The number of women in medicine is steadily rising and in 2019, more women than men enrolled in medical school. MSDC's Women in Medicine Section is physician-led and is dedicated to addressing the needs of women in medicine. The Section is open to all members.
Purpose
The Women in Medicine (WIM) Section serves as MSDC's dedicated forum for advancing the leadership, professional development, and advocacy interests of women physicians in the District of Columbia. Section members act as champions for women in medicine, actively promoting networking, mentorship, and policy engagement across all career stages — from medical students through seasoned practitioners.
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Goals
- Increase the number and influence of women physicians in leadership roles within MSDC and the greater DC medical community
- Provide a consistent forum for networking, mentoring, and leadership development for women physicians, residents, and medical students
- Advance MSDC advocacy on women's health and women in medicine policy issues
- Address emerging professional issues affecting women physicians, including work-life balance and equity in practice
- Expand MSDC's reach and relevance among women physicians across all specialties and practice settings
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Responsibilities
Leadership & Membership Development
- Identify and encourage women physicians to pursue leadership roles within MSDC and the broader DC medical community
- Support recruitment and retention of women physician members across all career stages
- Serve as visible ambassadors for MSDC's value within their professional networks
Advocacy & Policy
- Provide guidance on women's health and women in medicine policy priorities before the DC Council and relevant agencies
- Identify emerging trends and professional issues affecting women physicians and bring recommendations to MSDC leadership
- Represent the interests of women physicians in MSDC's broader advocacy agenda
Programming & Networking
- Develop and recommend programming including networking events, mentorship initiatives, and speaker engagements that serve the Section's purpose
- Support section-driven events that foster peer connection across specialties and career stages
- Provide input on event formats, topics, and structures that resonate with women physicians and trainees
Membership Composition
- All women MSDC members are automatically members of the WIM Section
- The Section leadership shall include 1 physician chair, 2 physician members, 1 resident/fellow member, and 1 medical student member
- Diverse representation across specialties, practice settings, and career stages is strongly encouraged
Feedback
The WIM Section leadership reports to the MSDC Board of Directors as needed. An annual report shall be submitted to the Board for inclusion in the MSDC Annual Report.
Member's Only WIM Content
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Women in Medicine Events
This webinar is hosted by MSDC's Women in Medicine Section.
With both mothers and fathers working from home, the burden of unpaid household duties invariably falls on women. This gender inequality has led to a notable decrease in women publishing in academic journals. This is striking given the concomitant sudden and unprecedented fast tracking of research publications to disseminate COVID-19 related information.
Such is the plight of women in academic medicine in the time of COVID-19. The inequity of academics during COVID-19 pandemic has been the subject of debate and multiple articles. Join us for a webinar on this important topic, hosted by MSDC's Women in Medicine Section. Anita K. Patel, MD, will speak about this topic to discuss her insights.
This event is over. See the RECORDING HERE.
PRESENTER BIO
Anita K Patel MD is a double board-certified Pediatrician and Pediatric Critical Care Attending at Children’s National Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania with a major in neuroscience and minor in health care management. She subsequently attended the University of Virginia School of Medicine for medical school, followed by pediatric residency at Cornell University-New York Presbyterian Hospital and finally completed a pediatric critical care fellowship at Columbia University-New York Presbyterian Hospital. She is currently an NIH funded researcher specializing in pain, sedation and delirium management in critically-ill children. Outside of her traditional job, she is also a 500-hour registered yoga teacher, and helped develop a set of meditations for women going through IVF with the Expectful App. She is currently postpartum with a newborn and has built a strong and supportive community of women on social media by sharing her academic physician life and IVF journey on Instagram @AnitaKPatelMD.
This was part of the Washington Healthcare on Wednesdays webinar series.
Co-Chairs
Ida Bergstrom, MD
Marwah Tareen, MD
Dr. Susanne Bathgate (Immediate Past President)
Dr. Kirstiaan Nevin (At-Large Board Member)
Dr. J. Desiree Pineda (Board Chair)
Dr. Ida Bergstrom (At-Large Board Member)