The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) is pleased to announce the publication of the 2023 Physician Fertility Summit Proceedings. This report summarizes the key insights presented during the Summit, with a focus on the reproductive health issued faced by physicians, especially women but also including perspectives on male infertility, the unique challenges of the LGBTQ+ community, and the impact of the Dobbs decision. Expert panels and personal testimonials highlighted the urgent need to transform the landscape of physician fertility. This image, shared by Dr. Erica Kaye, powerfully captured the struggles faced by so many women physicians.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Erica Kaye

Timely Supplement — MedCentral Spotlight

AMWA’s efforts are underscored by the recently published article in MedCentral, “The Hidden Cost of Medical Practice: Reproductive Risks and Fertility Challenges Facing Female Physicians,” which reports that women in medicine experience significantly higher rates of infertility (28-35%), miscarriage (41%), and preterm delivery (20%) compared to the broader female population (9–13%, 20%, and 10% respectively). In this article, Dr. Ariela Marshall, co-chair of AMWA’s Physician Fertility Working Group highlighted educational gaps within medical training about the risks of infertility among physicians and the need for leadership to foster a culture that supports family planning priorities.

AMWA’s Commitment

AMWA remains dedicated to advancing the reproductive health and wellness of women in medicine by advocating for inclusive fertility education throughout medical training, promoting equitable access to family-supportive policies, and partnering with stakeholders to address systemic stressors that affect reproductive outcomes.

Plans for the 2026 Physician Fertility Summit will soon be underway. Sign up here to join the AMWA Physician Fertility Working Group.

Physicians, trainees, program directors, and policy-makers are invited to download the full proceedings from the AMWA website. We encourage sharing this critical resource widely within your institutions to catalyze meaningful change.

Please also utilize the AMWA and RESOLVE Coverage at Work Toolkit to start having conversations about policies and coverage.

For the 2023 Summit, the American Medical Women’s Association was especially honored to partner with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association in advancing awareness, education, and advocacy around physician fertility and family-building. This collaboration strengthens AMWA’s mission to address the unique reproductive health challenges faced by women in medicine, bringing together shared expertise and a united voice for policy change. We are especially grateful for the visionary leadership of Barb Collura, past CEO of RESOLVE, whose decades of dedication and tireless advocacy transformed the conversation around infertility and empowered countless individuals to navigate their paths to parenthood.