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. 2023 Nov 29;15(11):e49660.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.49660. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Addressing the Gender Gap in Academic Success: A History of the University of North Carolina Association of Professional Women in the Medical Sciences

Christina Shenvi  1 , Amelia Drake  2 , Etta Pisano  3 , Susan Girdler  4 , Wanda Nicholson  5 , Kim Boggess  6
Affiliations

Addressing the Gender Gap in Academic Success: A History of the University of North Carolina Association of Professional Women in the Medical Sciences

Christina Shenvi et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Despite efforts at many institutions, nationally, women still lag behind their male counterparts in leadership, promotion, and seniority. In this paper, we describe the efforts to improve the environment for women faculty at one large academic medical center through the creation of an Association of Professional Women in Medical Sciences. Over the years, the group has helped influence policies that directly affect women faculty, provided high-yield programming on topics related to women's success, and created interprofessional networking opportunities for women faculty. We describe the challenges and successes of this group to serve as a model and inspiration for other institutions.

Keywords: faculty development in medical education; faculty development programs; gender equity; leadership and policy management; women in medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Abbreviated timeline of major events and milestones in the evolution of the UNC Association for Professional Women in Medical Sciences
UNC: University of North Carolina, APWIMS: Association of Professional Women in the Medical Sciences.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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