It’s been over a year since the women of MDFEME came together to create this community.Full of innovation and discovery, the formation of this group of female physicians has been a benefit not only to our audience but to me as an individual. Reflecting on our time together, I’ve been thinking about the power that lies when individuals, specifically women, come together.
Medicine is a field which was initially dominated by men, with Elizabeth Blackwell being the first female medical graduate in 1849. Over time, the United States has seen a large growth of women matriculating into medical programs, with thoughts that there may be more female physicians than men in the future. This does not mean gender bias is behind us. From salary differences to patients not believing we are “just as smart”, female physicians continue the upward battle to gender equality in the workplace. However, by joining together, we can work on these issues as a collective, eventually impacting on our own lives and the lives of those who will come after us. Here are a few other reasons female doctors need to team together.
1. You Need Someone to Relate To
Being a female physician can often be isolating. Being the head of a hospital team, or the leader of a group is isolating as people may feel they cannot relate or open up to you. Non-women employees may also feel intimidated and not want to create a bond outside of work.
Speaking with other female physicians, however, allows for a camaraderie no one else may understand. You can discuss situations that are particular to this special group and confide in one another on things not likely to be understood by another group of people.
2. There’s Strength in Numbers
Influence can be gained via a group of people rather than through an individual, making belonging to a tribe of great benefit. Women physicians have rallied together to support movements like Black Lives Matters, What a Doctor Looks Like, and Med Bikini. As a team we have also garnered funds for people in need and supported one another in good and bad times.
3. You Need Someone to Remind You of Who You Are
Being a doctor is tough, being a female doctor is tougher. It can be very uplifting to go through the trials and tribulations of a very vigorous career with someone else. You need a fellow woman whom has walked in shoes similar to yours to tell remind you of how awesome you are when things are not going as expected.You also need someone to remind you of your best self when you are at your worst. These pep talks by a peer can be the self-esteem boost needed to continue the way forward.
Surrounding yourself with strong, like-minded women dealing with the same trials and tribulations you are facing is both comforting and uplifting. Women coming together shows that we can achieve greatness when banding together.
So how do you create your tribe?
-Build relationships with your coworkers:
Whether you work at a hospital or clinic, forming friendships with the women you work with is the right step to building lasting bonds.
-Join online groups:
The internet, specifically Facebook has several groups created by and for female physicians. You are sure to find the group (or groups) of women with whom you share similar interests.
An African Proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together” Wherever your medical career takes you remember that you do not have to go through it alone. Having your medical sisters along with you will make the ride smoother and hopefully more beautiful.
