By Susan Thompson Hingle, MD, AMWA President
Women in Medicine Month is celebrated each September and is full of opportunity. Opportunity to reflect, to promote, and to inspire. I am reminded of Michelle Obama’s quote about three friends, “We should always have three friends in our lives – one who we look up to and follow, one who walks beside us, who is with us every step of our journey; and then, one who we reach back for and bring along after we’ve cleared the way.” To me this encapsulates the opportunity of women in medicine and why we celebrate it. We remember and celebrate the pioneering trailblazers; we reflect and renew our commitments to continuing the work and journey; and we celebrate the progress that has been made and inspire our students, residents, and early career physicians joining our esteemed profession.
Though I grew up with a father who was a physician, no one ever talked with me about that as a possible profession for me until the middle of college. I had always loved and was fascinated by science. I also was a helper. Wanting to make the world a better place was what drove and still drives me. Looking back on my journey, it seems as though being a physician was/is a natural fit.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t until college, when a mentor, Dr. Ed DeVillez, suggested to me that I should consider becoming a doctor. His belief in me instilled a belief in myself that had previously been missing. I am incredibly grateful that he saw something in me that I didn’t and showed me a path that has been so incredibly fulfilling. Though women are matriculating into medical school at the same rates as men, we are still under-represented in many specialties and throughout leadership positions in medicine and healthcare.
I recall my first meeting as the Chair of the Department of Medicine. At the time, I was the only woman Chair. One of the others was surprised to see me there and said “who is the woman?” Fortunately, my dean had my back and explained to him who I was and later spoke with him to let him know how offensive that comment had been. It was lonely being the only woman. I am proud that SIU, under the leadership of Dean Jerry Kruse, women now represent more than 30% of our clinical Chairs and more than 50% of all our Chairs.
Women physician’s career advancement typically progresses more slowly and commonly hits glass ceilings. Only 24% of full Professors in academic medicine are women. I recall a promotion and tenure committee meeting I was attending.
At the time, there were only two women on the promotion and tenure committee, and for some reason, the other woman was not in attendance. I’m not sure why but I said as I walked into the room “am I allowed to be here? It looks like a men-only group.” A few weeks later, my Department Chair, Dr. John Flack, thanked me for calling his attention to this. He dug into the data and found that women faculty progressed more slowly and were much less likely to reach full Professor. He looked at processes in the department and implemented an equitable plan that has been successful in significantly lessening and nearly erasing those disparities.
Mentorship is something that has been incredibly important throughout my career journey. Early in my career, I was fortunate to have many mentors who all helped me in different ways. Dr. David Steward regularly and gently pushed me outside of my comfort zone to try things that seemed out of reach; in doing so, many doors and paths opened that have been so meaningful and impactful. Dr. Gina Kovach role modeled what servant leadership was, and she graciously stepped away from a position she loved to allow me the opportunity to lead. Mentors continue to play an important role in my life. Dr. Debra Klamen has been critical in my growth journey and has helped me to truly believe in myself and my impact as a leader. Dr. Wendi El-amin got me started on my own personal journey to health and well-being. I have been blessed with many incredible peer mentors as well. I am inspired by so many of them. Here are a few: Dr. Darilyn Moyer, Dr. Eileen Barrett, Dr. Daisy Smith, and Dr. Eliza Chin.
It is said that women physicians are over mentored yet under sponsored. Because opportunity begets opportunity, having a seat at the table is critical. Sponsors are one way of gaining access to those seats at the tables. One of the most unexpected highlights of my career thus far was being invited back to be the commencement speaker at my residency alma mater, Georgetown University School of Medicine. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think something like that would happen. It was surreal. Receiving an honorary doctorate and being hooded by my mentor, Dr. S. Ray Mitchell, was so special. It was his sponsorship that created this memorable opportunity. I have intentionally used platforms that I have access to to pay it forward as well through sponsorship. I have learned that networks are important in life. They create opportunities for collaboration, for mentorship, for sponsorship, for support, for learning, and for caring. The professional networks that I have built over my career have been invaluable. Those networks are within my home organization, SIU, as well as outside, including through AMWA, ACP, ELAM, AAIM, SGIM, and AMA WPS.
As an introvert, networking did not come easy to me. However, as I learned the importance of networks, I invested in developing and cultivating them. I have also learned that networking is not selfish, being a part of a network is beneficial to everyone. AMWA whole-heartedly believes in their power as well and has include mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship as key elements of its leadership development programs, AMWA ELEVATE and AMWA EVOLVE. Change doesn’t happen without change agents. I became involved with advocacy early in my career and have found it to be incredibly impactful and rewarding, whether it be advocating for resources to fund a prenatal clinic or for gender equity in compensation and career advancement or for affordable accessible healthcare for all or for inclusive environments where everyone can learn, grow, and thrive. Advocacy is an opportunity to create sustainable change.
I encourage everyone to find something you are passionate about and get involved and be a change agent.
Recently I read the “Power Code” by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman. It shares stories of inspirational women leaders. The take home message is that transformation happens when women are allowed to lead based on our own unique strengths, talents, and skills. Women in Medicine Month is an opportunity for us to not only dream about that world, but to actively advance on our journey towards that vision.
Let’s share our gratitude for those who came before us, for those walking along side us on this journey, and for the future of the profession who are just beginning their exciting journeys.