AMWA’s most recent activities:
1. Celebrating Leadership and Advocacy:
AMWA’s Interim Meeting in Washington, DC, at Hotel Zena, a venue known for its focus on women’s empowerment, featured an in-depth review of the organization’s mission, vision, and values. Led by President Dr. Susan Hingle and President-elect Dr. Eileen Barrett, the discussions fueled inspiring and insightful reflections that helped refine the organization’s strategic direction.
AMWA President Dr. Susan Hingle received the international ATHENA Leadership Award for her tireless advocacy for women in medicine.
2. Events and Initiatives:
The Music and Medicine Committee, in partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, hosted a memorable event highlighting medical humanities’ impact on patient care and physician well-being with live musical and dance performances by AMWA leaders.
AMWA’s past presidents, Dr. Constance Battle and Dr. Nasim Shajihan, attended a White House event on the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, emphasizing the benefits of insulin price caps. Patients who participated shared moving stories about the life-changing impact of no longer paying $1000 for insulin and now only paying $35.
3. Advocacy:
Lactation Support: AMWA released a position statement advocating for comprehensive lactation support policies in medical institutions. The statement recognizes the challenges physicians and trainees face in meeting their breastfeeding and pumping goals.
Maternal Health Campaign: AMWA partners with Rutgers Women’s Health Institute led by Dr. Gloria Bachmann on promoting for Maternal Health Awareness Day, 1/23 and the importance of 1-Stop, 2-Look, 3-Listen to achieve better maternal health outcomes.
4. Promoting Public Health:
In August, AMWA led a National Immunization Awareness Month campaign, partnering with the COVID-19 Vaccine Education + Equity Project to educate the public on necessary vaccine updates. Check out our videos here.
AMWA maintained ongoing efforts to close healthcare gaps and address the needs of vulnerable groups, including women and underrepresented communities.
5. Addressing Violence Against Women:
AMWA attended the 30th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act at the White House. Discussions included the intersection of gun violence and women’s safety, the relationship between gender-based violence and homelessness, and AI’s role in misinformation and online harassment. The establishment of a new U.S. Office of Gender-based Violence was announced.
AMWA’s Domestic Violence Working Group hosted its 3rd Annual Summit focused on the Untold Stories of IPV (intimate partner violence).
6. Honoring Inspiring Women Physicians:
AMWA recognized 27 AMWA INSPIRE Award recipients, celebrating women physicians who positively impact their peers through leadership, mentorship, and community support. More on the award.
The AMWA and Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation Lectureship featured two luminary physician authors, Dr. Rana Awdish and Dr. Jessi Gold. Watch the video.
7. Advocacy on Women’s Health Issues:
AMWA leaders met with the White House Gender Policy Council and legislators to advocate for gender equity, reproductive health, human trafficking awareness, obesity as a chronic disease, gun violence prevention, cervical cancer, HPV prevention, AI risks, and maternal mortality. AMWA shared information highlighting the Reproductive Health Coalition (co-founded by AMWA and Doctors for America) and our advocacy efforts to improve women’s health.
8. Climate Change and Global Health:
AMWA continued its Climate Change Bucket campaign by distributing buckets to global partners, with support from the American Women’s Hospitals Service, the Global CSR Foundation, and KuCoin’s generosity.
AMWA’s Global Health Lead Dr. Padmini Murthy, MWIA VP of North America Dr. Connie Newman, and AMWA Maternal Health Lead, Dr. Gloria Bachmann represented AMWA at the UN General Assembly, including the Summit of the Future. AMWA co-organized side events on AI in digital health and anti-microbial resistance. Read the AMWA Summit Statement to the UN Secretary-General emphasizing Healthcare Access and Equity, Women’s Leadership in Health, the Impact of Climate Change on Women’s Health, and Technology and Innovation for Health Equity.
9. Other AMWA Events:
Advocacy in Medicine: Empowering public health advocacy.
Mentorship: Sharing personal experiences and AMWA mentorship programs.
Family Planning Discussions: Informed decisions throughout reproductive life journeys.
10. Upcoming Annual Meeting:
AMWA warmly invites MWIA members to its annual meeting, which will be held jointly with the Women in Healthcare World Congress from March 28 to 30, 2025 near Boston, MA. Register here.
Visit the AMWA website for further information on ongoing initiatives and our sponsored webinars.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Y. Poirier-Brode, MD; CM
National Coordinator from AMWA to MWIA