Earlier this year, Academic Medicine reported the results of the AAMC’s Women in Medicine and Science Benchmarking Survey. This Survey was initiated in 1983, and represents a mature and comprehensive data set with over 90% (119) of the 129 medical schools in the U.S. responding. Together, these AAMC (American Association of Medical Colleges) data reflect a hopeful, yet slow moving change in the healthcare industry for women across all levels of academic medicine. The proportion of female faculty new hires rose, but female faculty departures increased as well. The proportion of full-time female professors increased, but only by 7% since 2003, and this increase was offset by an increase in departures from the academe (5%). More females are applying to medical school, but the number of male applicants also has risen. Women still represent fewer than 50% of all medical school applicants.
Although these AAMC data do not promote much optimism, female health care professionals in the beginning, middle and end of their careers must continue striving for a seat at the table. Consider these 4 tips from two senior MCG faculty members who served as faculty participants during this forum:
1. It’s Vital to Know Your Mission and Purpose
Reflect on your life story and identify your passions. The way you deal with early challenges in your life often defines you. So ask yourself: What is my life story? What parts of this story have shaped the person I am today – have resulted in the values I treasure? What am I truly passionate about?
It is likely that your passions, if authentic, will intensify and converge into a short ‘list’ over the years. This narrowing can serve as a compass on your career path, helping you to define your priorities – both personal and professional.
2. Take Charge of Your Career
You are in charge of and responsible for your own career. If you decide to sit idle and let your career “happen” the outcome is uncertain. However, if you take the reins and guide your journey mindful of your purpose, with your specific goals in sight, and also remain open to support from others; you will determine your own destiny and legacy.
• Who provides support for me in my network as I strive to achieve these goals?
• Who are my mentors?
• Who are my advocates/sponsors/champions?
3. Know your Priorities – both Personal and Professional. What are your boundaries at home and work and always operate within them.
4. Learn How to Negotiate. When it comes to negotiation, confidence is not masculine or feminine. It’s a practice.
Dr. Nita Maihle is a cancer biologist who was recruited to GRU in 2013 to develop educational programming for the GRU Cancer Center. She also runs a research laboratory where she studies breast, ovarian and other women’s cancers, with a focus on biologically targeted therapies and biomarkers for early detection. She was on faculty at the Mayo Clinic for 15 years, and Yale University for over a decade. During her career she has served in numerous leadership capacities, including service on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Cancer Institute, as well as President of Women in Cancer Research, a ~7,000 member Council of the American Association for Cancer Research.
As Steven Covey has advised us: “Begin with the end in mind.” And of course, enjoy the journey, too!
Honoring the light in you all -
Nita & Caryl
This is a guest post from Drs. Maihle and Hess. Thank you for sharing your great wisdom with us!
Dr. Nita Maihle is a cancer biologist who was recruited to GRU in 2013 to develop educational programming for the GRU Cancer Center. She also runs a research laboratory where she studies breast, ovarian and other women’s cancers, with a focus on biologically targeted therapies and biomarkers for early detection. She was on faculty at the Mayo Clinic for 15 years, and Yale University for over a decade. During her career she has served in numerous leadership capacities, including service on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Cancer Institute, as well as President of Women in Cancer Research, a ~7,000 member Council of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Dr. Caryl Hess joined GRU in 2014 as the Director of the Office of Leadership Development. She oversees the GRU Leadership Academy, a program which promotes the development of leadership skills and abilities. She is the former director of the Cleveland Clinic Academy where she oversaw the leadership and management curriculum and courses for 43,000 physicians, nurses, and administrators and directed various external, revenue-generating programs, including the Samson Global Leadership Academy, Cleveland Clinic's global leadership program for healthcare executives. She has conducted research, presented and spoken to diverse audiences on the topics of leadership development, curriculum and technology.
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