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The School’s Women in Medicine Program received the AAMC 2000 Leadership Development Award in recognition for its institutional commitment to helping women realize their potential and to improving the environment for women in academic medicine.
The VCU Women in Medicine and Science program consists of the following four components.
A hallmark of the program is the annual Leadership Conference which has grown to a nationally recognized program between VCU Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, the VCU Health System, and Central Virginia VA Health Care System.
The School’s Women in Medicine Program received the AAMC 2000 Leadership Development Award in recognition for its institutional commitment to helping women realize their potential and to improving the environment for women in academic medicine.
Our program was awarded the 2000 AAMC Women in Medicine Leadership Development Award.
[View Image]Janet Bickel (left) is shown presenting the plaque to Karen Sanders, M.D., Carol Hampton, MMS and H. H. "Dickie" Newsome, Jr., M.D., former Dean of the School of Medicine.
See Dr. Newsome’s nomination letter (below), AAMC President Jordan Cohen’s letter announcing the award, and VCU President Eugene Trani’s letter of congratulations.
August 14, 2000
Renee Marshall Lawson
Administrative Assistant
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
Dear Ms. Lawson:
It gives me great pleasure to nominate the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Women in Medicine Program for the Association of American Medical Colleges’ 2000 Women in Medicine Leadership Development Award. The women leaders of the WIM Program have shown energy, creativity, and persistence in developing and achieving their strategic and operational goals, all the while improving the climate for both women and men in our institution. They have enjoyed widespread grassroots support and developed a credible and forceful organizational presence. In addition, they have spread their influence regionally and nationally through a series of excellent and highly regarded conferences, and have published both resource materials and academic articles in the field. Their successes both locally and nationally have earned them this honor.
The Leadership Conference, now in planning for its ninth year, is well known around the country. It has established a track record of success in reaching women health professionals across the country, especially on the East Coast. The number of participants is regularly about 250 and many participants are repeat attendees. The conference has explicitly tried to touch many types of participants, such as academic women physicians and scientists, but also community practitioners, housestaff, medical students, and allied health professionals. The conference series began back in 1992 at the genesis of the Women in Medicine Faculty Organization. The conference series took shape, and the first Leadership Conference took place in 1993. It was a small event, with mainly local faculty attending. However, the conference planners, who were also the Women in Medicine Faculty Organization officers, were already planning more ambitious activities. They invited both the University of Virginia and Eastern Virginia Medical School to join as conference sponsors. The University of Virginia joined as a participant in 1997, and the Eastern Virginia Medical School joined for the 1998 conference. Also in 1998, our women leaders contacted and invited the participation of both the Medical Society of Virginia and the Richmond Academy of Medicine. A wonderfully-opinionated group made up of members from all these sponsoring organizations has planned all conferences since that time.
Substantial grants ($5000) from each educational institution and significant contributions from the other sponsors (RAM and MSV) now underwrite the conferences. Thus, the conference is now able to attract nationally recognized speakers while still keeping registration subsidized for medical students and housestaff. Conference attendees have grown from approximately 50 in 1993 to over 250 participants at the conference in March 2000. Enclosed are the brochures from all of the conferences beginning in March 1993 up to and including the most recent one conducted this year, March 3, 2000. In addition, the next conference, to be held on March 2, 2001, is already in the planning stages, and a nationally known keynote speaker, Dr. Bernice Sandler, is already booked. I personally have attended the last three of these conferences, and have been amazed at the excitement and interaction that they have generated.
The VCU School of Medicine group has also instituted a Women in Medicine Professional Leadership Award, now in its ninth year. Nominations for the award are solicited from the Department Chairs of the School of Medicine and all faculty members. Eight women physicians have been the award recipients, recognized for their excellence in multiple professional domains, character, leadership, and their groundbreaking activities for the women who have followed them into medical careers. The University of Virginia Medical School and Eastern Virginia Medical School have emulated this awards process. All three medical school awards are now given out at lunch during the Leadership Conference.
Our Women in Medicine program here at VCU is composed of four distinct parts, each of which serves a specific purpose, and has been effective in pursing distinct, although related goals.
1. Women in Medicine Faculty Organization
First, the Women in Medicine Faculty Organization was organized into a coherent structure in late 1992. The organization was structured as a volunteer organization in order to be collaborative with, but outside of the organizational structure of the medical school. This gave the organization more latitude in creating a political agenda. The Faculty Organization developed bylaws, a nominations and voting process, and a process to have effective leadership succession. Many offices were created and several subcommittees of the Executive Council were formed. This structure has withstood the test of time, and has flourished through the terms of four presidents: Dr. Wendy Klein (1992–1994), Dr. Dawn Mueller (1994–1996), Dr. Karen Sanders (1996-1998), and Dr. Lenore Buckley (1998–2000). A new president, Dr. Joanne Bodurtha, is set to begin her two-year term in September of 2000, and a new president-elect, Dr. Marcia Carney, will also begin.
Some WIM Faculty Organization activities include:
Executive Council. The Executive Council has met monthly for approximately nine years. This group collects and prioritizes goals for the organization, plans and directs activities, and collaborates with other external and internal entities such as the Richmond Academy of Medicine. Composed of a diverse collection of basic scientists, clinicians, and administrators, the group is the driving force behind the success of the organization. The President of the organization chairs the Executive Council.
Executive Leadership and Academic Medicine Program for Women (ELAM). The organization has requested and received support for three ELAM fellows: Dr. Roberta Sonnino, Dr. Lisa Kaplowitz, and Dr. Mary Nettleman. The Women in Medicine Faculty Organization officers garnered the support and funding commitment for ELAM from my office.
Women in Medicine Faculty Organization Newsletter. The newsletter has been published continuously although irregularly for nine years. The newsletters have columns for education (promotion and tenure guidelines, for example), professional development information (AAMC Junior and Senior Women in Medicine Conference Announcements), book reviews, and interviews with selected women faculty. Several issues are enclosed.
Professional Development Seminars and Lectures. Special interest programs are organized several times a year. Many seminars have been held about promotion and tenure issues, such as understanding the promotion and tenure guidelines, understanding the different promotion tracks, and creating a teaching portfolio. Other topics include mentoring and career development. Speakers include both local and national experts, such as Dr. Lindsay Grossman (Fall 1999), Dr. Clyde Evans (Fall 1998), and Dr. Page Morahan (Fall 1997).
Enclosed are several examples of our local programming with participant evaluation summaries.
These programs serve a critical function of getting the word out about key institutional issues. Several sessions were held about promotion and tenure issues. These sessions, although planned as one-way educational sessions, were vehicles for raising issues, and letting faculty opinions be known. This in turn helped raise institutional awareness of these very important issues and facilitated the rewriting of some key clauses in our School of Medicine Promotion and Tenure documents.
The Committee on the Status of Women and Minorities
The second component of our Women in Medicine Program is the School of Medicine Committee on the Status of Women and Minorities. This Committee reports organizationally to my office and focuses on providing leadership and guidance regarding the progress of women and minorities in their achievement of their full potential within the School of Medicine. The Committee assesses and reports on various institutional issues, such as the representation of women in departments and in leadership roles, recruitment and retention of women and minority faculty, promotion and tenure issues, salary equity and benefits, mentoring and faculty development, and many others. Issues that arise through the committee structure may flow to the Dean’s Office, the Faculty Senate, University Council, MCV Physicians group, or other higher level offices. The Committee regularly engages in literature review, fact-finding, and benchmarking. This Committee spearheaded the faculty survey in 1997 to determine high-priority issues for career development. The survey, reported in two published journal articles, had an excellent response rate (62% response from 918 faculty), and pointed the way to several sub-committees and high-priority issues. The faculty survey will be the focus of a workshop at the October 2000 AAMC meeting, given by Dr. Lenore Buckley, Dr. Karen Sanders and Ms. Carol Hampton. Other products to come from the survey include the Mentoring Guide, which is now available nationally on the web. The Committee has most recently turned its attention to professionalism, space and facilities issues, chair recruitment, and minority student and faculty recruitment and retention.
School of Medicine 1997 Faculty Survey on Needs for Career Development and Mentoring—This was a project of the Committee with leadership by Dr. Surinder Kallar, former chair of the Committee, Dr. Lenore Buckley, now President of our Women in Medicine Faculty Organization, and Carol Hampton, Associate Dean for Faculty and Instructional Development. The results of the survey underscored the need for mentoring and resources for career development. The results were presented to chairs and distributed to all faculties. As part of scholarship and to share the data with others, the results also were published:
Monitoring Representation of Women and Minorities. The Committee requested five-year data from the Dean’s Office in order to monitor representation of women and minorities in all 26 SOM departments, and then compared these with national data from AAMC. These data were presented to the chairs during the Dean’s Executive Council in January 2000. These data will be collected annually and shared with the Department Chairs and other institutional leaders in an effort to raise awareness of diversity and its importance.
Salary Equity. In the 1997 faculty survey, concerns were raised about salary equity. The Committee requested an analysis of salary across all departments and ranks from my office. I am personally monitoring these data and reported the results last fall to the Committee. Although this is a sensitive and difficult task, I have pledged to continue to monitor these data, and share discrepancies with the chairs as part of their own performance evaluations.
Mentoring Program in the Department of Internal Medicine. Using data from the faculty survey documenting the need for mentoring, especially for women faculty, several key faculty members have initiated a discussion of mentoring within the Department of Internal Medicine. The chair, Dr. Richard Wenzel, with assistance from Ms. Chequeta Allen, administrator, implemented a mentoring program in FY 1999-2000. A corner stone for this new program requires each division chair to arrange a mentor for every junior faculty member in the division. This responsibility will be included and evaluated as part of the annual performance review of each division chair in the Department of Internal Medicine. This pilot project has been shared with all Department Chairs as a possible sample for their own mentoring efforts.
Professionalism Proposal. This proposal was developed in response to medical student graduation survey data and LCME self study data. This proposal, still in draft form, outlines a structure and tasks to look at both curricular and institutional issues surrounding professionalism. The chair has been identified and the university attorney has given the green light to go forward. With guidance from the Committee, I will appoint a Professionalism Task Force to begin work this fall.
Minority Recruitment and Retention. This sub-committee is developing a minority student and faculty recruitment and retention plan. A rising M3 medical student, an African American, was hired over the summer by our Office of Faculty and Instructional Development (OFID) to assist with a special project. She has performed a search of the literature and has interviewed 11 of our 33 African American faculty members. She will draw conclusions about the environment for African-American faculties, and assist with drawing recommendations for recruitment and retention. She will present her report to the Committee in September.
Chair Recruitment. With staff support from OFID, the Committee has begun to review guidelines and procedures for chair recruitment. Resources from the literature and from other medical schools will be sought out. A subcommittee will be assigned this fall to develop guidelines for my consideration. The goal is to standardize and systematize the chair recruitment process in order to optimize our chances of hiring qualified women and minority candidates. This will better assure outstanding and diverse leadership in these key chair positions.
3. Women in Medicine Student Organization
The third part of the WIM Program is the Student Organization. For eight years, each medical student class has elected student representatives to the WIM Faculty Organization Executive Council. These representatives have taken part in the annual &ldquot;Become a Doctor Day,&rdquot; first for the Girl Scouts, and more recently working with the Virginia Area Health Education Consortia (AHECs) to host 50 rural high school girls as guests on our MCV Campus. The students have also sponsored monthly pizza luncheons on topics pertinent to both male and female medical students. Student activity fees and gifts from the SOM Annual Fund provide underwriting for the luncheons. A formalized faculty/student-mentoring program has just begun, initiated last fall by M2 female students and sponsored jointly with the WIM Faculty Organization. Interests vary with the student leadership each year. In previous years, they have written their own website, and have risen to assume leadership positions in AMSA, the American Medical Student Association.
4. Office of Faculty and Instructional Development
The VCU School of Medicine established the Office of Faculty and Instructional Development (OFID) in October 1994. The office incorporates faculty development, women in medicine, instructional design, the Computer Based Instruction Lab, and telemedicine. Carol Hampton is the Associate Dean appointed to lead the various programs. The goal of faculty development is to assist faculty in becoming accomplished, productive, and successful in their chosen endeavors of teaching, research, patient care, or administration, and in sustaining their vitality both now and in the future. Faculty development is an important goal for all faculty and especially women, who are under-represented at the highest levels of leadership in academic medicine. By integrating Women in Medicine as part of faculty development, the School of Medicine is able to provide a stable and funded locus to undergird, support, facilitate, guide, and conduct a variety of faculty development activities and programs for women. The WIM Faculty Organization supported the establishment of the OFID and the inclusion of women’s programs as part of overall faculty development. This OFID provides support to the components of the WIM program for their activities, especially the Leadership Conference, seminar and lecture logistics, financial support, and budget management. Some examples of programs developed by OFID that support the WIM program follow.
Faculty Mentoring Guide. This was developed by OFID as a follow-up to the career development survey, with advisory committee members from the Committee and Organization. It was distributed to all faculty members in August 1997. The Guide promotes mentoring as an excellent way to enhance professional growth. It includes characteristics of mentors/mentees, suggestions for finding a mentor/mentee, and provides checklists to evaluate mentoring. This has been peer-reviewed and is now distributed nationally by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and is used by the AAMC in Deans’ Council training. The Guide has been requested by some 50 medical schools nationwide and is available in print and on the web.
Advisory Guidelines for Promotion and Tenure, July 1997. At the request of the previous dean, Dr. Hermes Kontos, and to address a concern identified in the faculty survey, Advisory Guidelines were developed to complement the SOM promotion and tenure regulatory document. The Guide’s purpose is to assist faculty to more clearly understand the regulatory process required in both the tenure and collateral tracks. The document was distributed to all faculties and is maintained on the web. The project was managed by the OFID, which supported the Ad Hoc Task Force that developed the Guide.
New Faculty Orientation. Implemented in fall 1995, this full day event examines the educational, healthcare, and scientific environment in the SOM so faculty can better access institutional resources in support of their teaching, research, and patient care programs. Also presented are career development issues. This program is managed in collaboration with our Office of Continuing Medical Education and funded from gifts to the SOM Annual Fund.
University Guidelines on Prohibition of Sexual Harassment. These Guidelines were mailed to all faculties by the OFID with a cover memo from me. Some 330 faculty members signed and returned their acknowledgment of these guidelines. Carol Hampton serves as the liaison to faculty and channels potential sexual harassment concerns to school and university officials.
Matching Funds to Support Attendance at the AAMC Junior and Senior Women’s Professional Development Seminars. The OFID brokers professional development programs external to our SOM. This includes provision of matching funds for the AAMC’s junior and senior women’s programs. Four women faculty attended these seminars this past year, and two additional are accepted for this coming December.
Because of the work of our WIM Program, our institutional culture is changing and we are increasing our rich appreciation for women and what they bring to our School and University. The “halo effect” emanating from our WIM Program is evidenced in several other areas. Dr. Cynthia Heldberg, Associate Dean, leads our SOM Admissions Office, and Aileen Edwards is our Director of Admissions. The Chair of the Admissions Committee is a woman physician, Dr. Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, and 13 of 35 members of the Admissions Committee are women. Fifty-two percent of this year’s entering first year medical students are women, and 45% of our medical students across all four years are women.
In 1999, VCU established an Institute for Women’s Health with Dr. Susan Kornstein, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, as Director. The mission of the Institute s to improve the health of women through health education, research, clinical care, and leadership development and create synergy within VCU, and foster coordinated alliances within the greater community. The momentum for this Institute came from our women faculty. Four of the five members of the Institute’s Steering Committee are women. The Institute has recently competed successfully for a $2.7 million, five-year NIH award for junior faculty development in the area of “Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health.” In the review panel’s comments, there was particular praise for the environment for faculty development and our WIM Program at VCU: “There is a strong emphasis on faculty mentoring, demonstrated by a comprehensive Faculty Mentoring Guide compiled by VCU.”
The Women’s Health Track in Internal Medicine was initiated four years ago, and is one of only 11 such programs in the nation that offers comprehensive, interdisciplinary training in Women’s Health. Dr. Wendy Klein, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Obstetrics-Gynecology, is the founder and director. One of the factors that has led to the program’s resounding success is its strong mentoring component. Dr. Klein is also the founding president of our WIM Faculty Organization.
Dr. Joy Ware, Professor of Pathology, is chair of the search committee for the Chair of Biochemistry. An increased number of women are appointed as members of chair search committees. The top two candidates for chair of the Department of Human Genetics are women. The Chief Operating Officer of MCV Hospitals is a woman. The next Vice President for Research at VCU, effective September 1, 2000, is a woman. The newly created VCU Grace E. Harris Institute for Leadership headquartered on our Academic Campus has acknowledged the outstanding work of our SOM Women’s Program and OFID. I cannot attribute a direct cause-and-effect for these developments; however, it is my conviction that the efforts of this multifaceted WIM program have fostered an environment that is recognizing the strength women bring to our academic medical center.
I want to mention one additional successful outcome of the combined efforts of the leaders of our WIM program. Some background is required. During the winter 2000 legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly and the Governor authorized the establishment of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority, effective July 1, 2000. This new structure combines the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Hospitals Authority, MCV Physicians, and the clinical functions of the SOM into a single organization, with one CEO, one budget, and a unified governance system. Oversight and leadership will be provided by the creation of the VCU Health Authority Board. The Board membership builds on the current 16-member MCV Hospitals Authority Board of Directors with five additional appointments representing our physicians. Through the work of the leaders of our WIM program, two of the five new physician appointees are women. These two women were appointed by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Governor and Speaker of the House, respectively. In addition, leaders in our WIM program facilitated the election of 3 women physicians as members at large (3 of 8 members possible) to the Board of the MCV Physicians.
In closing, I am proud to submit the VCU School of Medicine Women in Medicine Program for the AAMC 2000 Women in Medicine Leadership Development Award. These women leaders have quietly but persistently pushed uphill against various institutional obstacles in working for a climate of change. They have embraced principles of equity, fairness, opportunity, professionalism and diversity and have enhanced the environment for all of our faculty members. I personally am grateful to them for their ideas, their energy, and their persistence. They have scattered their ideas like seeds, not only locally here at VCU, but into many other institutions across the country. Their ideas and efforts continue to be the strength behind our work in the School of Medicine at MCV of VCU. It is a privilege to work with them and nominate them for this prestigious award.
Sincerely,
H.H. Newsome, Jr., M.D.
Dean, School of Medicine
ELAM's year-long program develops the professional and personal skills required to lead and manage successfully in today's complex healthcare environment, with special attention to the unique challenges facing women in leadership positions.
Established in 1995, The Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women is the nation's only in-depth program focused on preparing senior women faculty at schools of medicine, dentistry and public health to move into positions of institutional leadership where they can effect positive change. Part of the Institute for Women's Health and Leadership at Drexel University College of Medicine, ELAM continues the institution's legacy that began with the Medical College of Pennsylvania's roots as the nation's first woman's medical school.
ELAM's year-long program develops the professional and personal skills required to lead and manage successfully in today's complex healthcare environment, with special attention to the unique challenges facing women in leadership positions.
VCU School of Medicine has sponsored 14 ELAM fellows. They are listed below with their current positions.
2018-2019: Joyce Lloyd, Ph.D., Professor, Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU School of Medicine
2017-2018: Elizabeth "Betsy" Ripley, M.D., M.S., RAC, Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, VCU School of Medicine, and Nephrology Eminent Scholar
2009-2010: Janet Neimeier, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Director, Inpatient Neuropsychology & Rehabilitation Psychology Services, VCU School of Medicine
2008-2009: Joann Bodurtha, M.D., M.P.H., Professor, Human and Molecular Genetics, Pediatrics, Obstetrics-Gynecology, and Epidemiology and Community Health, VCU School of Medicine
2007-2008: Andrea L. Pozez, M.D., F.A.C.S., Leroy Smith Professor Chair, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Department of Surgery, VCU School of Medicine
2006-2007: Suzanne E. Barbour, Ph.D., Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, VCU School of Medicine
2005-2006: Susan Kornstein, M.D., Professor, Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, VCU School of Medicine; Executive Director, VCU Institute for Women’s Health Center of Excellence
2004-2005: Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, M.D., Associate Dean for Admissions, Associate Professor, Family Medicine, VCU School of Medicine
2003-2004: Betty Ann Johnson, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Primary Care
2002-2003: Bela Sood, M.D., Professor and Chair, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry; Medical Director, Virginia Treatment Center for Children, VCUHS
2001-2002: Karen Sanders, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology; Deputy Chief, Office of Academic Affiliations, Veterans Health Administration
2000-2001: Mary Nettleman, M.D., Currently Professor and Chair, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Lansing, MI
1999-2000: Lisa Kaplowitz, M.D., M.S.H.A., Currently Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, VA
1997-1998: Roberta Sonnino, M.D., Currently Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Three additional ELAM Fellows have joined the VCU School of Medicine Faculty:
Current events can be found on the Faculty Affairs webpage.
Meetings
| Date/Time/Place | Meeting | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Wednesday of each month, 12 pm -1 pm September through June MMEC, 6th Fl., Rm. 6-102 | WISDM Executive Council | Please join us and share your interests. Meeting open to all faculty in the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry. We also connect via videoconference to the McGuire VA Hospital. For further information, contact Dr. Pamela Dillon, pmdillon@vcu.edu. |
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The Women in Medicine and Science Program Steering Committee provides overall strategic vision and management for the program.
Mission
The Women in Medicine and Science Program Steering Committee provides overall strategic vision and management for the program. The Steering Committee also serves as an advocacy group, facilitating the election and appointment of distinguished women leaders to prominent leadership positions within the VCU Health System, school and university administration, and the Commonwealth.
Membership
The Steering Committee membership is drawn from past and present leaders of the WISDM Faculty Organization.
With support from faculty and the Women in Science, Dentistry and Medicine Faculty Organization (WISDM), both medical and graduate students have developed organizations:
The goals are to promote the advancement of women in medical and science education, to help address obstacles facing women in professional careers, and to promote leadership skills, visibility and academic policies required for success. Each group has by-laws, officers, and specific goals and objectives. They conduct educational programs, provide support and networking, provide community outreach and philanthropic activities, and work with advisors from WISDM.
Based on the various programs and activities of these two groups, we have found that student organizations in medical schools facilitate communication and networking among their members and provide needed support of women students and trainees. Active faculty leadership for such groups promotes mentorship and positive role modeling. These groups can help achieve increased representation, participation and leadership of women in medical and scientific disciplines.
History
Since 1978, the Women in Medicine Student Organization has served as a forum to discuss women’s health topics, increase awareness of the obstacles facing women in professional careers, and promote the advancement and achievement of women in all stages of medical education.
Representation
The Women in Medicine Student Organization has more than 80 members for all four classes of medical school. The organization is led by traditional officers and also incorporates a special liaisons coordinator that provides WIMSO representation to Women in Science, Dentistry and Medicine (WISDM) and the Medical Student Government. In addition, students from the incoming medical class are elected in the fall to serve a four-year term as Women in Medicine class representatives.
Activities
Faculty Support
The faculty adviser for the Women in Medicine Student Organization is Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, M.D., Associate Dean of Admissions, michelle.whitehurst-cook@vcuhealth.org. Faculty advisers serve on the WISDM Faculty Organization as liaisons between the medical students and faculty.
Contacts
For additional information regarding the Women in Medicine Student Organization feel free to contact any student representative at wimsomcv@gmail.com.
Mission Statement
The mission of Women in Science is to support and promote the career development of women scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University by increasing the representation, participation and leadership of women in scientific disciplines and by promoting the leadership skills, visibility and academic policies required for success at Virginia Commonwealth University and in the sciences.
Women in Science serves to facilitate communication and networking among its members and to provide support to all women students and trainees in science in order to build a supportive community of women scientists that will nurture the professional development of current and future women in science.
VCU is an institutional member of the Association for Women in Science.
Event Highlights
WIS Newsletters
Established in 1992, the WISDM Faculty Organization seeks to further the professional goals of women physicians, scientists and dentists at the VCU Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.
Mission
Established in 1992, the WISDM Faculty Organization seeks to further the professional goals of women physicians, scientists and dentists at the VCU Schools of Medicine and Dentistry. As a sponsor of forums for open communication, the organization facilitates networking, mentoring and collaboration among women faculty, housestaff and medical, dental and graduate students.
Activities
Faculty Development is an important goal for all faculty—and especially for women, who are under-represented at the highest levels of leadership in academic medicine. By integrating Women in Medicine as part of the faculty development, the School of Medicine is able to facilitate, guide and conduct a variety of faculty development activities and programs. A multifaceted approach provides opportunities to include special focus on concerns and circumstances of women at VCU School of Medicine.
Membership
Membership is open to all women faculty (clinical, basic science, administrative, full-time, part-time, any rank), students, housestaff, fellows, and post-docs at VCU who pay a one-time membership fee ($100). Members are invited and encouraged to participate in any and all events and meetings. Our male colleagues are welcome to participate in our professional development programs, as well. Fees are requested and collected at the time an individual initiates membership in WISDM.
To become a sustaining member, download, complete and submit the WISDM Membership Form [PDF].
Checks should be made out to WISDM and sent to:
Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D., Treasurer
Assistant Professor of Pathology
Box 980038
Richmond, VA 23298-0038
Phone: 804-827-0738
Email: jennifer.koblinski@vcuhealth.org
2021 Call for Nominations _WISDM PAA
Nominations due: Monday, March 8, 2021
The WISDM Professional Achievement Award is presented annually by the Women in Science, Dentistry, and Medicine (WISDM) Faculty Organization, VCU School of Medicine, MCV Campus. This unique award was established in 1993 to acknowledge the special contributions and accomplishments of women faculty in the School of Medicine. The primary purpose of this award is to recognize a woman who is a role model and mentor, promoting the professional development of other women faculty. Nominees should demonstrate excellence in the following areas:
School of Medicine
Nominations are solicited annually from all School of Medicine faculty members and should include a letter from the primary nominator, a CV, and no more than five (5) support letters from supervisors, faculty, trainees, and/or students addressing the five areas of excellence. Previous nominees can be renominated with an updated CV and no more than five (5) support letters, which may include old and/or new letters, from supervisors, faculty, trainees, and/or students addressing the five areas of excellence. The letters should be addressed to Kim Isringhausen, M.P.H., WISDM President.
Submit nomination packets electronically to deborah.stewart@vcuhealth.org thru Filelocker at http://www.ts.vcu.edu/askit/university-resources/vcu-filelocker/ (click on "Visit VCU Filelocker"). Any questions, contact Debbie Stewart, 828-6591, deborah.stewart@vcuhealth.org
The award will be presented at the annual WISDM Leadership Conference and at the SOM Faculty Excellence Awards in the fall. Nominations are sought for SOM women faculty only.
School of Dentistry
The VCU School of Dentistry manages their WISDM Professional Achievement award process separately. For criteria and selection process contact: Meredith Bryk, mlbryk@vcu.edu
All faculty members in the schools of medicine and dentistry are invited to submit nominations to their respective schools. The awardees will be notified in time to accept the award at the Annual WISDM Leadership Conference.
Previous Professional Achievement Award Winners
School of Medicine
School of Dentistry
Congratulations to all our outstanding women faculty in the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry!
The annual WISDM conference is designed to promote professional development through enhancement of leadership skills. Community practitioners, academic faculty, administrators and other health care professionals, as well as medical, dental and graduate students, post docs, residents and community leaders are welcome. Both women and men in medicine and science will gain skills that will enhance personal growth and advance careers. In addition, the conference provides an opportunity to network with other professionals and share advice and experience.
This annual conference is sponsored by the VCU School of Medicine, the VCU School of Dentistry, the VCU Health System, and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Join us for the
29th Annual WISDM Leadership Conference
"You Belong Here! Imposter Syndrome: What Is It, How to Recognize It, and How to Overcome It"
Friday, April 30, 2021
(best viewed using Google Chrome)
year keynote/theme resources
2019 Lakshmi Challa, J.D., Senior Counsel, LeClairRyan and Managing Attorney, Challa Law Offices, PLC 2019 WISDM Conference Brochure -- Photos
2018 Sheryl Garland, M.H.A., Vice President of Health Policy and Community Relations, VCU Health System 2018 WISDM Leadership Conference Brochure -- Photos
2017 Jean Gasen, Ph.D., PCC, Director for Leadership and Executive Coaching, VCU School of Business Conference Brochure 2017 -- Photos
2016 Matthew Freeman, M.A., Founding Principal and Lead Consultant, TMI Consulting Inc., Richmond, VA WISDM Leadership Conference Brochure -- Photos
2015 Rosemarie Fisher, M.D., M.S., Professor of Medicine and Director/Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education, 23rd Annual WISDM Leadership Conference -- Photos
Yale-New Havel Hospital and Yale University School of Medicine "Pursuing Leadership through Academic Medicine"
2014 Kevin Grigsby, DSW, Senior Director of Member Leadership Development, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) 22nd Annual WISDM Leadership Conference -- Photos
"Creating Your Own Path to Leadership"
2013 Theme: Breaking Through Invisible Barriers 21st Annual WISDM Leadership Conference -- Photos
2012 Ann Parker Maust, Ph.D., Founder/Former President and CEO, New Visions, New Ventures, Richmond, VA 2012WISDMBrochure1 -- Photos
"Making a Difference - The Meaning of Service"
2011 Sharon L. Hostler, M.D., Senior Associate Dean and Vice Provost for Faculty Development, 2011WISDMBrochurev22-24-11 -- Photos
McLemore Birdsong Professor of Pediatrics, University of Virginia
"It's All About Relationships"
2010 Joan M. Lakoski, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Career Development, 2010WISDMBrochure1
University of Pittsburgh Schools of Health Sciences
"Moving Up, Moving Out, Moving On: Career Transitions"
2009 Sara Laschever, M.A., Author, Editor, Cultural Critic, Concord, MA 2009WISDMBrochure1
"Taking Charge of Your Career"
2008 PonJola Coney, M.D., Senior Associate Dean, School of Medicine Faculty Affairs, VCU
"Learning to Lead"
2007 Patricia Cormier, Ph.D., President, Longwood University, Farmville, VA DCAOF0310107
"Taking a Calculated Risk"
2006 Jennifer Daley, M.D., Senior Vice President for Clinical Quality Chief Medical Officer Tenet Healthcare Corporation Dallas, Texas Brochure [PDF] -- Photos
Virginia V. Valian, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Linguistics Hunter College and CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY
2005 Regina Barreca, Ph.D., Professor of English Literature and Feminist Theory, University of Connecticut. MCA000310105
Author of several publications including: I'm With Stupid: One Man, One Woman, and 10,000 Years of Misunderstanding Between the Sexes Cleared Right Up.
Molly Carnes, M.D., M.S., Professor of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Industrial Engineering.
Director, Center for Women’s Health Research and Co-Director, Women in Science and Engineering Leadership Institute (WISELI) University of Wisconsin
2004 Debra E. Meyerson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education and Organizational Behavior at Standord University. Brochure [PDF] -- Photos
Author, Tempered Radicals: How People Use Difference to Inspire Change at Work.
2003 Nancy H. Nielsen, M.D., Ph.D., Vice-Speaker of the American Medical Association House of Delegates Brochure [PDF] -- Photos
Carol Nadelson, M.D., Past-President of the American Psychiatric Association; Editor-in-Chief, President, and CEO (retired) of the American Psychiatric Press, Inc.
2002 Linda S. Austin, M.D., Author, What's Holding You Back? Eight Critical Choices for Women's Success Brochure [PDF] Photos
2001 Bernice R. Sandler, Ed.D., National Association for Women in Education.
Author, Sexual Harassment on Campus: A Guide for Administrators, Faculty and Students
2000 Kathleen A. Brehony, Ph.D.,
Author, Awakening at Midlife: A Guide to Reviving Your Spirits, Recreating Your Life and Returning to Your Truest Self
1999 Leonard Marcus, Ph.D., Director, Program for Healthcare Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Harvard School of Public Health
1998 Pat Heim, Ph.D., Author, Hardball for Women: Winning at the Business
1997 Emma Stokes, Ph.D., Organizational Development Specialist, John Hopkins University
1996 Valerie Williams, M.P.A., Associate Dean, College of Medicine, Director, Faculty Leadership Program University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
1995 Marjorie A. Bowman, M.D., Chair, Department of Family Practice Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC Co-author: Stress and Women Physicians
1994 Paula Stillman, M.D., Dean, Eastern Virginia Medical School
1993 Nancy Gary, M.D., Dean, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine
Mission
The Executive Council prioritizes goals, plans and directs activities for the WISDM Faculty Organization.
Activities
The council meets on the first Wednesday of each month, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., September through June. All faculty of the VCU Schools of Medicine and Dentistry are welcome.
Officers
President: Kim Isringhausen, B.S.D.H., R.D.H., M.P.H
President-Elect: Rita Shiang, Ph.D.
Immediate Past-President: Kimberly Sanford, M.D.
Secretary: Pamela Dillon, Pharm.D.
Treasurer: Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D.
Chair, Graduate Student Committee: Rita Shiang, Ph.D.
Chair, Medical Student Committee: Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, M.D.
Chair, Nominating Committee: Kimberly Sanford, M.D.
Medical Student Representatives: Rebecca Pilkington, Lauren Calvert, Dima Malkawi
Graduate Student Representatives: Anna Kovilakath
Members-at-Large
Sarah Glass, D.D.S.
Caroline Carrico, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Godbey, M.D.
Ex-Officio Members
Betsy Ripley, M.D. Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, School of Medicine
B. Ellen Byrne, D.D.S., Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean, School of Dentistry
Lenore Joseph, M.D., Associate Chief of Staff - Education, Central Virginia VA Health Care System
Past Presidents
Kimberly Sanford, M.D.
Tegwyn Brickhouse, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Julie Mayglothling, M.D., 2013-2015
Amelia Grover, M.D., 2011-2013
Susan Lanni, M.D., 2009-2011
Mary Helen Hackney, M.D., 2007-2009
Cecelia Boardman, 2006-2007
Bela Sood, M.D., 2003–2006
Joann Bodurtha, M.D., M.P.H., 2000–2003
Lenore Buckley, M.D., M.P.H., 1998–2000
Karen Sanders, M.D., 1996–1998
Dawn Mueller, M.D., 1994–1996
Wendy Klein, M.D., 1992–1994
WISDM
Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University Women In Science, Dentistry, and Medicine Faculty Organization
Revised 6/2016
ARTICLE I: Purpose
ARTICLE II: Membership
Membership in this organization is open to those who meet the qualifications for membership, pay the membership fees as determined by the organization, and comply with these bylaws.
MEMBERS:
ARTICLE III: Officers
Section 1. Immediate Past-President
The duties of the Past-President shall include (1) serving as an advisor to the officers and the Executive Council (2) serving as a voting member of the Executive Council, and (3) serving as Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.
Section 2. President
The President shall manage and direct the overall functioning of the organization. The specific duties of the president shall include (1) serving as Chairperson of the Executive Council, (2) presiding at the general business portion of all meetings, (3) calling special meetings as needed, (4) appointing members to the Nominating Committee and to special ad hoc committees as needed, (5) filling any vacancy that arises on the Council with the approval of the Executive Council, and (6) assuring that incoming Officers and Chairpersons are properly oriented.
Section 3. President-Elect
The president-elect shall (1) serve as a voting member of the Executive Council and (2) assist the President and act in the President's absence.
Section 4. Secretary
The duties of the Secretary shall include (1) taking and keeping all minutes of the Executive Council and of the business portion of all general meetings, (2) keeping reports on file when appropriate, (3) handling the correspondence of the group, (4) notifying members of the Executive Council of meeting dates, and (5) maintaining the archives of the association.
Section 5. Treasurer
The duties of the Treasurer shall include (1) handling all funds of the organization, (2) paying all bills, (3) keeping accounts of all expenditures and receipts of the group, (4) making monthly status reports to the Executive Council, (5) maintaining the roster of members.
Section 6. Member at Large
The duties of member-at-large shall include (1) becoming familiar with the operations of the organization and (2) performing any duties requested by the President. No more than three members-at-large shall serve as officers.
ARTICLE IV: Executive Council
ARTICLE V: Committees of the organization
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
ARTICLE VII: Elections
ARTICLE VIII: Amendment of the Bylaws
An amendment of these bylaws may be proposed by majority vote of the Executive Council, or by written petition of 20 or more members in good standing. The proposed amendments, with an attached ballot, shall be sent by email to all members in good standing. Approval shall require an affirmative vote by a majority of the members voting. At least three weeks shall be allowed between the mailing of the ballots and the determination of the results of the proposed amendments. Proposed amendments will be considered by the organization within the same academic year if submitted by April 1 of that year. Bylaws amendments may be added to the election ballots in even-numbered years.
ARTICLE IX: Ratification of these bylaws
These bylaws shall become effective when approved by a majority of the organization's members voting. Bylaws shall be given to all new members of the Executive Council on a yearly basis. Changes in the bylaws should be considered by the Executive Council before submission to the general membership.
WISDM Faculty Organization President
Kim Isringhausen, B.S.D.H., R.D.H., M.P.H
ktisring@vcu.edu
Office of Faculty Affairs
Deborah Stewart
deborah.stewart@vcuhealth.org
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