This month, we’re celebrating the women whose contributions have shaped American healthcare, and who continue to blaze trails toward a better future.
Each September, we recognize the women who have broken barriers in medicine: women like Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States, and Dr. Rebecca Lee Crump, the first Black woman to become a doctor of medicine in the U.S., and whose book on maternal and pediatric medical care was among the first medical publications written by an African American. The perseverance and dedication of these and other countless women laid the foundation for future generations of female physicians to thrive.
That legacy is one that female physicians carry on into the present. Today, women make up the majority of medical school students. Female physicians are making huge strides in improving patient care, driving innovation in medicine, and furthering medical research and education.
We also want to recognize the female physicians advocating for gender equity in healthcare: women like Dr. Shikha Jain, the founder of Women in Medicine, a nonprofit that advocates for women’s leadership in healthcare, and Dr. Alyson McGregor, an ER doctor fighting for equal research for female health conditions. Their example is an inspiration to all of us.
Women in Medicine month is a reminder of the strides made and a call to action to continue supporting and uplifting women in the medical profession. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the past, present, and future contributions of female physicians, this month and every month!
