International
Women’s Day

Women in medicine have tackled both visible and invisible challenges throughout the test of time. I am grateful to be standing upon the shoulders of giants who were the original pioneers, ensuring that women have a permanent place in medicine. What inspires me now is the fine-tuning; the push for gender equity in the nuances largely unspoken and unseen from the public eye. It is empowering to stand as an advocate to abolish gender pay gaps, discuss the implications of maternity leave, and encourage women to push the ceiling on what is possible – both within medicine and beyond.

It is an incredibly dynamic time in medicine and boundless opportunities await! I have the privilege of being mentored by so many remarkable women in medicine and similarly, I would advise young women entering this field to identify and connect with the people who inspire them. Do not underestimate the remarkable power of realizing that everyone needs supports and the courageous beauty found in leaning on others when you do.

In my 32 years at UBC, all of which has been in the Faculty of Medicine, I have come across hundreds of students going through departments who have gone onto successful careers. Staff within the departments play a vital role in the success of a department which includes teaching programs, research and service. As a woman in the field of medicine, it gives me pleasure to be part of this success. As staff members, we have contributed towards to the teaching of medical, dental, and other health related programs. In fact, my family physician is a former student of the Honours Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences program. It makes me proud to see our former graduate students moving onto professional ranks including research careers.

We have one life to live, and having contributed to someone’s success is a great honour. I feel truly blessed to be part of an academic environment full of future leaders, doctors, nurses, and numerous other health related practitioners.

As a teenager, I always dreamed of being a medical professional. However, coming from a third-world country, growing up in poverty, I never had the opportunity or the support to pursue my dreams. The understanding was that moderate education for women was enough. Gone are the dark ages and things have evolved so much now, especially being in a great country, as a woman, I feel the world is changing at a reasonable pace where women’s roles are revolutionized. With the shift towards gender parity, it is inspiring to see the advancement of women in the field of medicine which shows that there are fewer barriers, something that wasn’t a social norm even when I first started at UBC back in 1987. Now, all you need is to have the background, motivation and the desire to be what you wish to be. We need more female health care professionals!

Having the privilege, every day, to contribute my unique perspective as a scientist, physiotherapist, and woman, to creating a health system and health strategy that is sensitive to, and reflects the diverse and unique needs of Canadians.

Believe in yourself, in what you are doing, work hard, take nothing personally and if something or someone blocks one route, find another. Never give up.

I’m associated with Multiple Sclerosis / MRI research group at the Center for Brain Health at UBC. My research pertains to developing computational models to automatically predict clinical outcomes on brain MRIs. I constantly find myself surrounded by women who are doing a terrific job of being the trail blazers in their respective careers and fields of research in medicine. Women who are leading, inspiring and guiding tons of other aspiring female students and young scientists to seize the day and pursue their passions. Being part of such a supportive clan feels empowering. Excelling in any field is a daunting journey, but having the right support system can not only make it less stressful but turn it into a fun challenging ride. Having such amazing role models inspires me to not only dream big and excel myself but also become a motivating role model for the other female students who need encouragement to peruse their dream careers in the field of medicine.

Dare to dream big and then go for it! Sometimes getting into the career of your dreams may seem like an intimidating task. I would suggest talking to as many professionals related to your area of interest as possible, for advice, and for pointers to shape a strategic plan towards achieving your goal. Tapping into professional network surrounding your area of interest is something that can allow you to make big leaps towards getting your dream job or position. If the first few things you try don’t work out, don’t be discouraged and persevere until you get your big break.

This is a two-part answer. First, it is important that we move away from stereotypes of success. Having a career is not the pinnacle of human existence. Empowerment means freedom to choose something you really like, something that excites you and gives meaning to your life. Then you have to figure out how to make it happen for you. So my general advice, for men and women, could be summed up as “Choose with your heart and plan with your head.”

Second, academic life presents with many challenges, but women face additional hurdles rooted in implicit societal preconceptions; things are changing for the better but at a slow pace. Success in academia depends on putting yourself forward (as opposed to waiting to be asked), putting yourself first (as opposed to prioritizing the needs of others) and promoting your own work (as opposed to letting the work speak for itself). Many women feel uncomfortable with all three but overcoming these internal barriers is critical if we are to close the gender gap in academia.

Inspiring people are all around us. Every day, I am reminded of the resilience of the human spirit as I witness the great fortitude and dignity people show when faced with the many challenges of mental disorders.

Amongst the scientific community, my hero is Marie Curie and I keep a picture of her in my office. I “met” Madame Curie when I was at primary school. I read her biography, written by her daughter Eve, and I was immediately and indelibly struck by the brilliance, resilience and humanity of this woman.

As an administrator working in the Faculty of Medicine for the past 15 years, I have been inspired by the opportunity to contribute to discussions and decisions related to the reshaping of the undergraduate curriculum. Given that my educational background is based in the humanities and social work, I am pleased to see that topics such as the social determinants of health and interprofessional collaboration have been identified as priorities for the Faculty and our learners. As a resident living in a northern location, these are important topics that have the potential to positively impact the lives of women from all backgrounds across our region.

My advice to those women wanting to pursue a career in the field of medicine is to not let perceived stereotypes or barriers stop you. While my advice might seem simple or straightforward, I believe that it is a testament to the changes over time that have opened up opportunities for females, including mature students, those with or wanting to start families or those who wish to enter “non-traditional” fields, to pursue a career in the medical field.

I am new to the field of medicine and, as a relative outsider, I don’t think I realized just how academic medicine has evolved since I was a student. It inspires me to see gender parity in our undergraduate intake, diverse female leadership in senior academic, clinical and administrative roles and a real commitment to a professional environment, equity and diversity. I believe the next few years will see further our faculty transforming health – making advances in precision medicine and technology in healthcare. I am thrilled to be part of a faculty that is at the forefront of research and a world leader in distributed health education – improving access to healthcare training in rural and remote areas.

Be encouraged that it is all possible – do not listen to nagging self-doubt or others saying it is not for you. The time has never been better for women entering the field of academic medicine, health research and professions and the need for accessible healthcare for everyone has never been greater.

Take every opportunity to expand your experience, even if you don’t think you are ready – you will surprise yourself.

Find a mentor, and when the time comes, be a mentor yourself.

Finally, be visible – go to your old school, attend open house days, be a champion. The young women following in your footsteps need to know you are there.

One of the biggest things that inspires me is seeing strong, smart, powerful women who are pushing the frontiers of medical education. In emergency medicine, we have several young, incredible female staff who have redesigned our simulation program, show immense dedication toward improving medical education and are steadfast advocates for resident wellness. Their efforts have enhanced my experiences as a learner and I hope to one day be able to inspire and educate future learners. Furthermore, the number of women in leadership positions in medicine has grown tremendously and it goes to show that women are just as capable, of balancing personal life and career aspirations. I hope that we can continue this momentum and encourage more females to be leaders in whatever field they choose.

I was raised believing that I was just as capable of achieving things as any man is. That conviction has led me to where I am because I was never affected by comments that suggested I did not have what it takes. I think women definitely face unique challenges that their male counterparts might not. But if something is worth achieving to you, then do it. Don’t get bogged down by the world’s perception of your worth or capabilities. Only you can define your worth.

I am inspired by the many honest, driven, encouraging women who embody the change that they want to see in the field of medicine.

Pursue your interests and follow your curiosity. Be yourself. Don’t be driven by fear. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

What inspires me most about working in medicine is the multitudes of kind and smart people I get to interact with daily.

The doctors and administrative staff that contribute to building and maintaining our programs are dedicated individuals who take pride in the work that they do. Being able to work with such individuals is a source of joy in and of itself. In medicine, I found that my work offered me the opportunity to contribute to the greater good.

Working in medicine – especially medical education is complex by nature and is rarely monotonous. My sense is that it takes a dynamic person to succeed in such an environment. Also, my path into this field was not linear in any sense. I had completed a bachelors and master’s degree in Religious Studies, while working within the financial sector before joining the Faculty of Medicine at McGill and now UBC. My sense is that many come into the administrative side of medicine from various walks of life and a focus on transferable skills is really key in entering the field.

Thinking about the first Canadian women physicians, it’s amazing to see how the field of medicine has advanced to become so much more inclusive. I feel grateful to those women that blazed a trail such that women in medicine are now expected and welcomed, not frowned upon as they were back in the early days. I am honoured to be a part of this lineage, and to one day practice amongst so many other motivated, strong, and intelligent women. I see how the women around me are innovating and giving back to the field of medicine through research, ideas, and compassion, and it inspires me to work harder, study longer, and become a better future physician.

The path that leads to a career in medicine is challenging to say the least, but if it lights your soul on fire, then absolutely you need to pursue it. Enjoy the challenge, enjoy the opportunity to push yourself towards a goal, even if it feels, at some times, impossible. Every part of the experience has meaning, and everything you do to improve your application, your test scores, or your extracurricular activities, is all contributing to shaping you into the future medical professional that your patients need. The chance to passionately pursue the career of your dreams is a gift; enjoy the pursuit, and enjoy the challenge.

As a woman in medicine, I am inspired by the ongoing changes I have witnessed to the culture of medicine that ensure women are able to excel in their role as physicians, educators and leaders, while balancing the various other roles they have in their lives. These changes have allowed both patients and learners to benefit from the increased diversity of experiences that are reflected in clinical and teaching practices. I am also inspired by the support and mentoring I have received from so many people at various stages of medical training and practice. Their support has helped me to troubleshoot challenges and explore opportunities, and I hope that I can pay this forward by doing the same for others.

Being a physician can be so rewarding as you connect and care for patients, but there are clearly days that will be tough. Know that if you do pursue a career in medicine, there are many strong and passionate people that are more than willing to support, guide and empower you, especially when you face challenges. In addition, there are many different aspects to the physician role for you to explore as your career progresses, roles which will benefit from your own unique skills and perspectives as a woman.