In this episode, we discussed the “leaky pipeline” issue given that women medical students have eclipsed the 50% mark several years ago. Paneez and Parker are clear – the system is not set up so that women have a fair shot ascend to leadership. While there are things women can do to bridge the gender gap in medicine through self-advocacy, taking leadership training opportunities and cultivating mentorship relationships, until the structures are changed. The fertility window directly overlaps with the time periods needed to secure funding, when you are first becoming scientifically independent. If those who set up these structures had to think about their fertility window – it just wouldn’t be set up this way. Changing the process should NOT mean lowering the requirements, just adjusting not having to do these all at the same time during that important fertility window which creates sometimes impossible choices.
Paneez and Parker also discuss how they have partnered aiming to impact culture change, a long slog without a clear path. Finding ways to level the playing field for women in medicine, being heard, having representation on editorial boards, hiring and promotion committees, and looking forward to that day when a woman physician can say she is pregnant and not have to hear…Oh, I’m sorry….. are just some of the things that they are pushing for. They have an action oriented approach and rely on the support of each other to “be the change”.