Region Report January – March 2023

Report from Vice President for North America

Dr. Connie Newman

Connie Newman MWIA Regional Vice President for North America

The energy during the MWIA North America Congress/108th AMWA Meeting held in Philadelphia in March this year was palpable. Everyone seemed eager to be part of this collaborative experience that would inform their practice of medicine and lead to solutions to global challenges in health.

Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, MWIA President welcomed attendees & said, “The MWIA triennial theme One Humanity: Health Solutions through our Partnerships, is a …commitment to seeking solutions to the myriad of challenges the world is facing including the crises of the Covid-19 pandemic, emerging conflicts, climate change, and cyberviolence. We are one humanity; we expect respect and dignity- we know what the problems are and must bring solutions through our partnerships.”

Fig 1. Photo from the Gala Dinner for the MWIA North American Regional Congress

Fig 1. Photo from the Gala Dinner for the MWIA North American Regional Congress

Dr. Caitlin Bernard who provided an abortion to a 10 yr-old Ohio girl who had been raped, discussed the rights of people to make decisions with their healthcare practitioners about abortion, dangers of abortion bans/restriction for patients and physicians, and encouraged attendees to advocate for an end to abortion restrictions.

Plenary speakers included Joan Reede on Racial Inequities at Medical Schools; Ana Maria Lopez, on Unique Characteristics in Leadership; Jessica Halem on LGBTQ+ Health Equity; Ojistoh Horn (Canada) on How Canada and Indigenous Peoples are Working Towards Health Equity.

Fig 2. Drs Nwadinobi and Newman at Drexel University Archives

Fig 2. Drs Nwadinobi and Newman at Drexel University Archives

Janine Clayton, Director, NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health gave the Gala keynote. Workshops included music, art and medicine, wellness, and the National Sex and Gender Education Initiative; Women Leaders: One World, One War Against Covid; Bringing Healthcare, Education and Hope to Meghauli, Nepal; Ending Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Harassment, an MWIA Advocacy Workshop, led by myself and Drs Bev Johnson, Shelley Ross, Karen Poirier-Brode, Clarissa Fabre. The North American Congress inspired attendees to continue their work in medicine, education, research, and/or advocacy to advance women in medicine and together solve health care challenges.