On behalf of the Steering Committee of the Northwestern Medical Women Faculty Organization (WFO), we welcome you to the WFO Web Site. This Committee was established 16 years ago under the auspices of the Medical School Dean’s Office. WFO was first chaired by Carolyn Brent, MD, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, who led the effort to review issues of particular interest to women faculty in the Feinberg School of Medicine, including professional development, support systems, and salary equity. Today, our Committee is continuing to promote the academic development of women faculty and promote efforts throughout Northwestern to nurture a community rich in diversity. The Committee is composed of representatives from basic research, clinical and private practice, and affiliated hospitals. We also have medical student representatives from the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) and a representative from Northwestern’s Institute for Women’s Health Research. Throughout the year, the WFO hosts and participates in multiple activities which promote women’s professional achievement, mentoring, and networking. This fall, the WFO hosted the 2008 Fall Welcome Reception for new women faculty. On April 2, 2009, the WFO participated in the Fifth Annual Lewis Landsberg Research Day by awarding a winner of the WFO’s Women’s Health Award for the poster and abstract representing excellence in women’s health research from Northwestern. This spring, we are launching a WFO newsletter, which will highlight achievements of women faculty as well as events and programming pertinent to women faculty. We continue to support projects and activities organized by our bright young women in the Medical School’s branch of AMWA. For instance, this spring we are sponsoring a FSM student’s travel and attendance at the AMWA national convention. On May 27, 2009, we will host our annual Distinguished Women in Medicine and Science lecture, featuring Dr. Teresa Woodruff from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. This annual lecture, honoring Carolyn Brent, MD, the first chairwoman of the WFO, highlights the career of a successful woman, scientist, leader, and mentor. Finally, we are proud to announce that the annual WFO’s Children’s Memorial Hospital Lecture and Reception will be June 11, 2009, with Northwestern University’s Professor Alice Eagly, the Department Chair of Psychology, as our featured speaker. We hope to see you at our events and welcome your participation in the WFO. Sincerely, Sarah Sutton, MD and Aruna Ganju, MD WFO Co-chairs |
