The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) recognizes the women physicians who were elected or re-elected to public office in the November 2026 elections. Their participation in government reflects the many ways physicians contribute to society beyond clinical practice, research, and medical education and the growing participation of women physicians.

Among those elected or re-elected to the U.S. Congress are:

  • Annie Andrews, MD – Pediatrician, newly elected U.S. Senator from South Carolina.
  • Maxine Dexter, MD – Pulmonary and critical care physician, re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District.
  • Kelly Morrison, MD – Obstetrician-gynecologist, re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District.
  • Kim Schrier, MD – Pediatrician, re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington’s 8th Congressional District.

In addition, Amy Acton, MD, a physician and former Director of the Ohio Department of Health, was elected Governor of Ohio, becoming the first woman elected to that position in the state’s history.

Physicians bring a unique understanding of the challenges facing patients, healthcare professionals, and healthcare systems. These perspectives can inform policy discussions on a wide range of issues affecting the health of individuals and communities, including healthcare access and delivery, disease prevention, public health, and medical research.

The participation of women physicians in public leadership is particularly relevant to ongoing efforts to advance women’s health. Despite significant progress, important gaps remain in our understanding of how health conditions affect women, how diseases are diagnosed and treated, and how women experience the healthcare system. Greater attention to women’s health across the lifespan, including maternal health, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, reproductive health, and healthy aging, remains essential. The presence of physicians in these arenas is a reminder that the voices of physicians extend well beyond the clinical setting, and that informed perspectives from healthcare professionals have an important place in the policymaking process.

Seeing more women physicians in public office also demonstrates the breadth of leadership opportunities available to those pursuing careers in medicine. The professional journeys of these women are a testament to the importance of women physicians in leadership within public health administration, healthcare organizations, and government.

For more than a century, AMWA has worked to advance opportunities for women in medicine while promoting improvements in women’s health. As Congress prepares for its next session, AMWA will continue to advocate for policies that improve the health of women, strengthen the healthcare workforce, promote access to quality care, and ensure that medical and scientific evidence informs decisions affecting the health of our communities.

Note: AMWA’s recognition of women physicians serving in elected office reflects our longstanding commitment to recognizing women’s contributions and leadership across the many fields in which they serve. As a nonpartisan organization, this recognition does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate, political party, or individual policy position.