Nancy D. Spector, MD
March 27, 2019
We're 15 months away from what is a milestone event for women in academic medicine – the 25th anniversary of the founding of ELAM. We're excited to celebrate ELAM's accomplishments – and more importantly – YOUR accomplishments – at our celebration on May 1, 2020. Last year, 69 of our ELUMS moved into exciting new positions of leadership and 38 of our alumnae received awards or board appointments. Our alumnae are leaders in 259 schools of medicine, dentistry, public health and pharmacy. We have 1,026 alumnae across the country and the world who are making measurable impact at their institutions. We are a powerful network of leaders with an equally powerful network of allies. Working together – women and men – is how we are going to make progress.
But as we know, there continue to be stumbling blocks. The news continues to be rife with clear evidence of the disparities in gender equity. In the past year alone there have been countless academic journal and general press articles that have outlined the inequities, the harassment and the biases that so many of us have experienced.
Mary Anne Delaney, MD
But there's also a lot to be excited about. Powerful collaborations have formed across the world of academic medicine that are pushing us forward with evidence-based solutions and innovative strategies. TIME'S UP Healthcare, PROWDWomen, the #BeEthical campaign, Women Leaders in Global Health Initiative, Women's Wellness through Equity and Leadership, FeminEM ... these are examples of some the dynamic organizations and movements that ELAM has been collaborating with over the past year to spread awareness of the issues and develop and disseminate targeted strategies for moving forward. These strategies can be put into place not only by individuals but also institutions, medical journals and societies, and funders. Because it's time for us to move beyond “fixing the woman” and start to fix the system.
So, how many of you will we see at the Kimmel Center on May 1, 2020? Let's fill the room, celebrate our accomplishments as a community and set our path for the future.
For information about donating to the Founders Fund, which will help endow the ELAM Executive Director's chair, click here.
Nancy D. Spector, MD
Executive Director, ELAM
Mary Anne Delaney, MD
Associate Director, ELAM