AMWA’s annual meeting, held from March 27 to 29 in San Francisco, marked a promising start to 2026. The theme was “Thriving, Leading, Transforming: Rooted in Purpose, Rising in Power, Committed to Service.” Dr. Marcia Fustin’s keynote emphasized the importance of community, stating, “Excellence is not achieved alone.” Dr. Eileen Barrett successfully transferred the AMWA presidency to Dr. Paulette Cazares. Inspiring speakers highlighted leadership, women’s opportunities, and community. Information and recordings will be available on the AMWA website.
MWIA members were invited to a screening and discussion of 1001 Cuts with Dr. Sarah Temkin, moderated by Dr. Ashwini Nadkarni, on April 21, 2026.
AMWA is delighted to participate in I-GLOWe, a new international collaboration sponsored by a Gates Foundation grant. I-GLOWe aims to improve women’s health through global education with local impact.
AMWA joined other organizations at the Inaugural National Conference on Women’s Health, organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in March.
At the 70th UN Commission on the Status of Women, AMWA co-hosted events on gender equity, women’s health, and perinatal mental well-being.
The AMWA AI in Healthcare Work Group leads AI integrations across medical specialties. This initiative was a key focus at our recent annual meeting.
February highlighted women’s cardiovascular health, rare diseases, and the contributions of the enslaved women, Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey, in gynecology.
In collaboration with the GEMS (Gender Equity in Medicine and Science) Alliance, AMWA launched a new webinar series. Join us on September 17 for Faculty Promotions & Tracks.
AMWA partnered with the Global CSR Foundation, Yayasan Srikandi Merah Putih, and KuCoin to support relief efforts in Sumatra.
In January, AMWA organized HPV Prevention Week. Webinars are available for more information.
On February 3, AMWA celebrated US National Women Physicians Day. Visit our website for details.
During the 35th anniversary of the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) and the 10th anniversary of the SABV policy, AMWA honored Women’s Health Research Day and celebrated women’s health milestones. These events reaffirmed our commitment to advancing sex- and gender-based health.
In observance of National Mentorship Month, the AMWA Mentorship Committee and Dr. Marion McCrary discussed professional connections and best practices for building them.
AMWA also commemorated the 12th anniversary of Physicians Against the Trafficking of Humans (PATH) during January’s Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
AMWA’s Second Quarter Report
AMWA continued to advance women’s health, gender equity, physician leadership, advocacy, and global collaboration during the second quarter of 2026.
Global Health and International Collaboration
AMWA Executive Director Dr. Eliza Chin and Global Health Lead Dr. Padmini Murthy represented AMWA at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva. Dr. Chin, Treasurer of the Medical Women’s International Association, participated as part of the MWIA delegation, joining women physician leaders from around the world in addressing major global health priorities. AMWA premedical member Emily Khossravi also attended side events.
AMWA continued its international commitment through American Women’s Hospitals Service Global Travel and Community Grants and participation in global initiatives in sex- and gender-specific medicine.
Women and Reproductive Health
During World Infertility Awareness Month, AMWA hosted its third Physician Fertility Summit, bringing together clinicians, experts, and advocates to move from recognition of fertility and family-building challenges among physicians toward practical solutions that support physicians throughout their careers.
The AMWA position paper “Period Poverty: Advancing Menstrual Equity through Health Coverage Reform” was published in the Journal of Women’s Health. AMWA also continued reproductive-health advocacy and clinician education, including support for mifepristone access, resources from the Reproductive Health Hotline, and training to help clinicians navigate difficult reproductive-care conversations.
Health Equity and Advocacy
AMWA advocated for increased federal funding for maternal and child health, programs serving underrepresented communities including Indigenous populations, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and child health, while also supporting evidence-based immunization policy.
AMWA called for the prompt release and fair resolution of the case of Dr. Rubilez Bolivar, an international medical graduate and emergency medicine resident detained in Texas. AMWA emphasized the essential role of internationally trained physicians, particularly in underserved communities, and the potential impact of workforce disruptions on patient access and continuity of care.
AMWA joined the COPD Action Alliance, bringing a women’s-health perspective to chronic disease advocacy. Dr. Chin joined Alliance members on Capitol Hill to advocate for re-establishing the Congressional COPD Caucus and advancing the Safe Step Act to address barriers created by insurance step-therapy requirements.
During National Minority Health Month, AMWA partnered with the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) to highlight drivers of health disparities, emerging research, and practical approaches clinicians can use to improve equitable care.
Under President Dr. Paulette Cazares, AMWA also participated in the American Medical Association Annual Meeting, advancing policies and initiatives supporting women physicians and women’s health.
Gender Equity, Leadership, and Education
AMWA continued educational work addressing gender inequities in medicine and women’s health, including disparities in diagnosis, treatment, reproductive care, mental health, neurological disease, and the experiences of women physicians.
Of particular interest to MWIA members, Who Controls Care? Reproductive Health in a Global Context, by Rhea Manohar, MPH; Meghan Etsey, MD; and Yun Weisholtz, MD-PhD, explored reproductive health from a global perspective on behalf of AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force and American Women’s Hospitals Service.
AMWA continued to expand leadership, mentorship, and professional-development opportunities for women physicians and trainees.
Looking Ahead
AMWA looks forward to joining MWIA colleagues at the MWIA North America Congress, September 17–19, 2026, held in conjunction with the Federation of Medical Women of Canada meeting in Edmonton, Alberta.
AMWA is also preparing for its 2027 Annual Meeting, March 11–14 in Washington, DC, which will include an Advocacy Day.
AMWA looks ahead to continued collaboration with MWIA in advancing the health of women and supporting women physicians worldwide.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Y. Poirier-Brode, MD, CM
National Coordinator from AMWA to MWIA