Feb. 3 marks National Women Physicians Day, a time to honor and recognize the accomplishments and contributions of women physicians across the country.
This date was chosen to commemorate Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D., who was the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree. Not only was Blackwell a physician who specialized in gynecology, she was also a steadfast advocate for equality and a mentor to many other women in the field of medicine.
In honor of Blackwell and this special day, several women physicians (and one physician-in-training) recently discussed how mentorship has been transformative in their careers.
Here’s what they had to say:
Serena Bidwell, third-year medical student:
“The incredible mentorship I’ve received as a medical student – including research, clinical and professional mentors – has helped me tremendously. It has opened new opportunities in global surgery projects and medical education outreach work and has allowed me to see myself entering leadership roles I never thought were possible. Lastly, mentorship has provided me with a network of unwavering support that I know will last well into my career as a physician.”
Lesly Dossett, M.D., M.P.H., division chief of surgical oncology:
“For me, mentoring young women in surgery is the most rewarding part of academic medicine. Outside of patient care, there is just no greater joy than seeing a young mentee take those first baby steps and before you know it, they are flying on their own.”
Read more from additional mentors and mentees in Michigan Medicine Headlines.