Noticing the trends indicating the attrition of women physicians from emergency medicine, Samuel Keim, MD, head of the Department of Emergency Medicine, connected with Allie Min, MD, professor of emergency medicine and associate dean of career development for the College of Medicine – Tucson, with hopes of setting up a group that can support women in the department and consider other initiatives to mentor, advise and develop women in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Together with Elaine Situ-LaCasse, MD, associate professor of emergency medicine, and Amber Rice, MD, associate professor of emergency medicine, the faculty were able to quickly plan the first meeting.
“We are seeing shifts in the workforce across emergency medicine and a significant number of women leaving clinical practice,” Dr. Min said. “It is critical that we actively support and develop women for sustainable careers and professional fulfillment, whether they are working clinically or finding other professional pursuits and passions.”
This new group, which has met once and aims for monthly meetings, is open to all women faculty, fellows and residents in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Women wishing to join the meetings should keep an eye on their email, as all women in the department receive email invitations.
The first meeting featured Olga Gokova, MD, FACEP, an emergency medicine residency graduate and the current president of the Arizona College of Emergency Physicians, a group that represents practicing emergency medicine physicians and works to further the specialty in Arizona. The group hopes to continue to invite women guests to future meetings.
Meetings are structured similarly to a journal club, as the group discusses a relevant article, while leaving room for discussions, questions and advice as needed throughout the meeting. There are also opportunities to network and form mentorship relationships.
“We want to provide space and time for women to share stories, successes and challenges, as well as support each other,” Dr. Min said. “It is just nice to be with peers and friends to help each other navigate struggles that many of us have in common. It’s an opportunity for peer mentorship and support.”
In addition to aiming for monthly meetings, the group hopes to be able to remain flexible in order to fulfil its purpose.
“The first meeting had such great energy and we are excited to keep the momentum going. The group will make the program whatever it needs to be – we just need to adapt and keep it agile depending on the needs of the women in our department,” Dr. Min said.