Breaking Through Disparities, Advancing Women in Medicine
Research Day Offers Forum for Collaboration and Change
STONY BROOK, N.Y., March 2, 2018 – Women have practiced medicine and conducted biomedical and other scientific research for decades, yet disparities remain at the highest levels in academic medicine. On March 7, more than 150 Stony Brook University women faculty and students will assemble at the School of Medicine’s 12th Women in Medicine Research Day to celebrate the achievements of women researchers, discuss issues women continue to face during medial training and the workplace, and share their own research in a networking environment.
“We have come a long way in many fields of medicine,” said Ann-Leslie Berger-Zaslav, PhD, the Head of Cytogenetics at Stony Brook and the Coordinator of the Women in Medicine Research Day event. “Now it is time to bridge the remaining gaps in equality and opportunity that exist for women in medicine. This day offers a tremendous venue to share our experiences and discuss important topics such as the challenge of work/life balance that is so important and at times difficult for many women.”
The current climate supporting various women’s movements has made the topic of women in medicine even more relevant and necessary for Stony Brook’s female community and their academic and professional achievements.
“I am very pleased to see the women faculty of our school carrying on this program that I started 12 years ago,” said Latha Chandran, MD, MPH, Vice Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs in the School of Medicine and a speaker at the event.
“One area of continued concern is gender disparities regarding leadership positions in medicine,” urged Dr. Chandran. “By supporting the research endeavors and clinical programs of our faculty and providing new opportunities, more women will rise in the ranks of academic medicine.”
She points out that the national percentages of women appointed to positions such as tenured faculty, division chiefs and medical school deans remain low. For example, according to a 2014 Association of American Medical Colleges’ Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS) report, only 16 percent of women in academic medicine are chairs of departments and only 20 percent hold full professor positions.
The event will feature brief presentations from 88 women conducting research in the School of Medicine, Health Sciences and/or within University science departments. The highlighted work includes that of physicians, researchers, medical students, undergraduate students, physician assistants and nurses.
The day, which runs from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, will include a keynote grand rounds speaker, A. Laurie Shroyer Ph.D., MSHA,and a panel discussion titled “Achieving a Successful Career for Women in Medicine.” For more on the Women in Medicine Research Day itinerary see this link.
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About Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University is going beyond the expectations of what today’s public universities can accomplish. Since its founding in 1957, this young university has grown to become a flagship as one of only four University Center campuses in the State University of New York (SUNY) system with more than 26,000 students and 2,600 faculty members, and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs. Our faculty has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize and the inaugural Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics. The University offers students an elite education with an outstanding return on investment: U.S. News & World Report ranks Stony Brook among the top 50 public universities in the nation. Its membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places Stony Brook among the top 62 research institutions in North America. As part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory, the University joins a prestigious group of universities that have a role in running federal R&D labs. Stony Brook University is a driving force in the region’s economy, generating nearly 60,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of more than $4.6 billion. Our state, country and world demand ambitious ideas, imaginative solutions and exceptional leadership to forge a better future for all. The students, alumni, researchers and faculty of Stony Brook University are prepared to meet this challenge.
Reporter Contact: Gregory Filiano
631 444-9343
