by Dr. Eliza Chin

One of the the special relationships in AMWA is the opportunity to network with women physician leaders around the world. AMWA is a member association of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA), and for the past four years I have been privileged to serve as treasurer of MWIA. AMWA also hosted the 100th anniversary of MWIA in New York City in 2019.

I began attending MWIA Congresses (held every three years) when I was president of AMWA (2010-2011) and have not missed one since. Last month, I attended the North American Regional MWIA Congress in Edmonton, Canada and in December, I will be attending the Central Asia Regional MWIA Congress in Mumbia, India with a few other AMWA members. We’d love for more to join us.

During this term, I had the great fortune of meeting Dr. Sarah Fitzgibbon, vice president of the Northern European region and the founder of the Women in Medicine in Ireland Network. Though we never had a chance to be in person together, I very much enjoyed meeting her on our calls and hearing her perspectives. I marveled at her courage – juggling leadership roles, motherhood, and a 10+ year battle with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. I didn’t discover her blog, Adventures of a Sick Doctor, until I received the notice on September 30 of her passing and only now do I truly appreciate how challenging it must have been, even as she assumed her Vice President role. That she attended the Northern Europe Regional Congress this past June and resigned from MWIA just two weeks before her passing are a testament of her deep commitment to our community.

Dr. Fitzgibbon founded the Women in Medicine in Ireland Network after learning about the 100th anniversary celebration of the Medical Women’s Federation (UK) in 2018. Although she was undergoing chemotherapy at the time, she recognized the need for a similar organization in Ireland. This sense of purpose became a source of renewed energy and inspiration, giving both her and women physicians across Ireland a new direction. Under her leadership, the organization grew significantly over the following years, becoming a vibrant network for professional support, mentorship, and connection among women in medicine.

I hope that through the message below and her blog, many others may also come to know this remarkable woman physician. The outpouring from the international community shows how many lives she touched during the time she had (read articles from The Medical Independent, Irish Mirror, Echo Live, The Irish Sun, Cork BEO, and many more). Those who knew her may wish to write in the on-line condolence book before 11/29/26.

““I would not be the first person with a life-changing diagnosis to talk about how important it is to live your life every day, to make the most of every moment that you have, but it really is true,” — Dr. Sarah Fitzgibbon



Dear Colleagues:  
 
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our Founder and Board Member, Dr. Sarah Fitzgibbon.  
 
Dr. Sarah Fitzgibbon founded Women in Medicine in Ireland Network (WiMIN) in December 2017 and organised its first conference in Dublin in September 2018. Since then, she oversaw the growth of the organisation as Chair until end of 2025.  She was elected as Regional Vice President for Executive Committee of the Medical Women’s International Association in  November 2025.  She was a member of the Deep End Ireland group, which advocates for improved primary care services for people living in areas of deprivation. She was also the Primary Care Clinical Advisor with CervicalCheck, the national cervical screening programme in Ireland. She was a member of the Patient Liaison Group of the Association of Coloproctologists of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI)  She was also an author, including her blog, “Adventures of a Sick Doctor” and regular contributions to the Medical Independent.  She advocated for kind, effective and efficient healthcare for all people in Ireland, particularly those who are marginalised. Many of us remember her for reasons beyond her remarkable accomplishments: —  as a wonderful colleague, advocate, friend, doctor, and mentor.Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to her family and friends during this time.
 
Information regarding memorial services to be forth-coming.  
Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam 
Dr. Kate McCann, Chairperson
WiMIN