Achieving Success as Women in Medicine: Gloria Steinem, Rachel Remen, AMWA Members, and Other Luminaries Celebrate Past, Present and Future in Miami

A Strong Multidisciplinary CME Program

AMWA assembled world class experts in women's health and women's advancement to speak on a variety of topics.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo

Gloria Steinem – Keynote Speaker at AMWA’s 97^th Anniversary Gala

Gloria Steinem, the indefatigably effervescent feminist leader who has done much for championing women’s rights, was the Gala guest of honor. She galvanized the full capacity audience with her discussion on the rights of women -- then, now and into the future, providing excitement in the feminist movement from a ringside perspective. True to her spirit and the spirit of the occasion, Ms. Steinem took to the dance floor and danced with AMWA members and students late into the night. The gala was a resounding success, garnering an over 92% vote as the highlight of the event, in no small part due to Ms. Steinem’s exuberance.

Rachel Naomi Remen, MD - Keynote Speaker at the Women in Medicine Reception

The Women in Medicine Reception featured keynote speaker, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, who shared insights from her experiences both as a physician and patient. Dr. Remen’s heartfelt message about humanism and healing were a reminder to all of the real joy in medicine.

Recognizing Outstanding Achievement in Medicine: The 2012 AMWA Awards

AMWA Awards at the 97th Annual Meeting were presented to the following outstanding individuals.

Presidential Award

James A. Heller

The AMWA Presidential Award was instituted this year to recognize Mr. James Heller for his enduring and outstanding dedication to the advancement of women in medicine. His generosity has been integral in the success and advancement of scores of AMWA medical students, as well as other AMWA programs.

Elizabeth Blackwell Medal Award

Luanne Thorndyke, MD, FACP

AMWA’s highest honor, recognizing commitment, originality, innovation, or creativity in her field of medicine, the Elizabeth Blackwell Medial was awarded to Luanne Thorndyke, MD, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), as the 2012 recipient. Dr. Thorndyke has led programs in faculty development, mentoring, leadership and advancement of women, and faculty competencies. She has extensive experience in educational planning, program implementation, and facilitating initiatives in professional development and mentoring, women’s leadership development, equity, and diversity.

Woman in Science Award

Pamela Lipsett, MD, MHPE

Honoring top-quality scientific research, extensive publication record, and a high national leadership profile, the Woman in Science Award went to Pamela Lipsett, MD, Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, as the 2012 recipient. As a child, in spite of physical handicaps, Dr. Lipsett determined to become a surgeon. She received her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. She was only the third woman to complete the rigorous Halsted Surgery Residency at Johns Hopkins University. Under her leadership in diverse roles at the medical center, more women medical students now enter surgical residency training throughout the country. She became the first female Professor of Surgery at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and now also holds the Warfied M. Firor Chair of Surgery, and appointments in the Departments of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and in the School of Nursing.

Lila A. Wallis Women’s Health Award

Nawal Nour, MD, MPH

The 2012 recipient of the Lila Wallis Women’s Health Award was Nawal M. Nour, MD, MPH, Director of the Ambulatory Obstetrics Practice at the Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and the African Women's Health Center. Dr. Nour established the African Women's Health Center. It is devoted the medical needs of African women who have undergone female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female circumcision. She helped develop a surgical procedure that can help alleviate some of the negative effects of FGC, such as urinary tract infections, painful menstrual periods, painful sexual intercourse, and difficulty conceiving and giving birth.

Bertha Van Hoosen Award

Clarita E. Herrera, MD

For her longtime service, Clarita Herrera, MD, was honored with the 2012 Bertha Van Hoosen Award. Dr. Herrera was AMWA president from 1998-1999 and has been involved with nearly every aspect of AMWA leadership and governance. She founded AMWA’s Woman in Science Award in 1993 in order to recognize the important contributions that women make to the science of medicine. She is the 2008 recipient of AMWA’s President’s Recognition Award, which recognizes the achievements and contributions of outstanding individuals and a 1994 and 1997 recipient of the AMWA Community Service Award. She has also served as an AMWA delegate to the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates.

Anne C. Carter Student Leadership Award

Linda J. Wang

AMWA honors the memory of Anne C. Carter, MD, with an annual award for outstanding AMWA student leadership. This year the award was presented to Linda J. Wang, who is enrolled in the joint MD/MBA Program at Harvard University. She became involved during her first year of medical school, serving as one of the directors of the Harvard AMWA student branch and then as Region 1 Student Coordinator. She is currently National Student President.

Camille Mermod Award

Given to a non-physician who has rendered exceptional service to the association, the Camille Mermod Award was given to Ryan Smith, of Myrtle Beach, SC. Ms. Smith is known to many AMWA members with her work on AMWA’s social media, helping to link members and friends across the U.S. and the world. Ryan Smith has served as a legislative advocate, grant writer, and AMWA’s manager of its social media. She has met with legislators in Washington DC to discuss pertinent women's health issues and served as a liaison for women's health issues both locally in South Carolina and nationally on Capitol Hill.

Presidential Recognition Awards

Outgoing AMWA President Dr. Mary Guinan recognized individuals who made a significant impact to AMWA during her 2011-2012 presidency.

• Elinor T. Christiansen, MD. For outstanding leadership as Chair of AMWA Governance Committee
• Eliza L. Chin, MD, MPH. For outstanding contribution to the AMWA 2012 Annual Meeting
• Gayatri Devi, MD. For outstanding contribution to the AMWA 2012 Annual Meeting
• Gina Marinilli. For outstanding support of AMWA 2011 – 2012
• Janice Werbinski, MD. For outstanding leadership on women’s health initiatives
• Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD. For outstanding leadership in promoting AMWA

AMWA Exceptional Mentor Awards

AMWA members recognized individuals who made a meaningful contribution to their professional and personal development by nominating them for the AMWA Exceptional Mentor Award.

• Raghav Govindarajan, MD, the Cleveland Clinic Florida. Nominated by his student Syeda Alqadri.
• Stephanie Martin, a fourth year student at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Nominated by fellow student Amy Hale.
• Julie Servoss, MD, of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University. Nominated by her student Irene Chang.
• Marcia Shew, MD, of the Indiana University School of Medicine. Nominated by Laura Kester, MD.
• Kanani Titchen, a fourth year medical student at Jefferson Medical College. Nominated by two first year medical students. Victoria Greenberg and Malinda Wu.
• Erin Phipps, MD, of the Indiana University School of Medicine. Nominated by Dr. Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber.
• Nathalie C. Zeitouni, MDCM, FRCPC, Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Nominated by her student Preethi R. Raghu.

AMWA Medical Students and Residents Thrived in a Mentoring Atmosphere

More than 50 posters were exhibited at the Resident and Student poster session, with topics ranging from pregnancy outcomes in transplant recipients to healthcare screening in female athletes. Winners in two categories were as follows:

• Original Research

1^st Place – Neha Deshpande, “Pregnancy Outcomes in Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients: Two Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses”

2^nd Place – Chao Ying Xu, “Mitochondrial D310 Mutations in the Early Development of Breast Cancer”

3^rd Place – Nance Yuan, “Effect of Cleft Width on Incidence Rates of Palatal Fistula and Velopharyngeal Insufficiency”

• Clinical Vignettes

1^st Place – Erin Lessner, "Blurry Vision in Pregnancy: A Case of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy"

2^nd Place – Annette Nichole Sullivan, "At Practice Today, In the OR Tomorrow: Screening for Heart

3^rd Place – Joani Christiensen, "Indocyanine Green Near?Infrared Laser Angiography Predicts Timing for the Division of a Forehead Flap"

Thanks to the generosity of the Anne C. Carter Family Foundation and AMWA member donations, 178 medical students attended the conference.

A Homecoming

As AMWA’s first standalone meeting after four years, this meeting brought back a true sense of camaraderie among women in medicine from all over the country. As one long-time member aptly remarked, “I feel like I have come home.”

In 2013, AMWA will hold its 98^th Annual Meeting in New York. Stay tuned for details.

Mentoring Tips from

Take Charge of Your Career! Mentoring and Other Tools for your Professional Development Toolbox,

A Presentation Given by Luanne Thorndyke, MD at AMWA’s 97^th Annual Meeting

To Assure Your Success, You Must Ensure That You Have Accessed Your Resources

• What support and resources has the organization made available to you to succeed?
• Is access to mentors to provide expertise and guidance available to you?
• Do you receive regular evaluation and feedback on your performance and progress?
• Do you take advantage of what your organization or professional society offers?

Navigate and Manage the Mentoring Relationship

• Ask for help with specific requests
• Establish expectations for both mentor & mentee
• Schedule and keep appointments to meet
• Prepare for meetings with your mentor
• Listen to advice and feedback

AMWA Acknowledges a Grant-In-Aid for Partial Support of the 97th Annual Meeting Activities by the Following Companies

AMWA thanks the Cleveland Clinic Florida and its Department of Geriatrics for their participation in the Suturing Skills Workshop.

EXHIBITORS

IN-KIND DONATIONS

SILENT AUCTION DONORS

Thank you! The Anne C. Carter family and James Heller provided support to fund student activities in 2011 in memory of AMWA member Anne C. Carter, MD. Activities included the Anne Carter Leadership Award, the Anne Carter Global Health Fellowship, student travel scholarships, and other student events. AMWA and the AMWA Student Division are grateful for this support to help shape the leadership skills of future women physicians.

97th Annual Meeting Photos Available for Purchase

AMWA’s photographer, Mary Ellen Morrow, has arranged for the event’s photos to be available for purchase. Click on AMWA's 97th Annual Meeting - Miami, Fl Photos for more information. Net proceeds of the sale of photos will benefit the AMWA Advocacy Fund. This donation is in honor of Laura Morrow, AMWA President, 1968-69.