March is Women’s History Month!  During this month in the United States, we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women in our country. More than 100 years ago on August 20, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified giving women in the United States the right to vote. Women have come a long way since then!

March was selected for Women’s History Month because it includes International Women’s Day which is celebrated on March 8. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 2-8, 1980, as National Women's History Week. As the popularity for the week continued to grow in the eighties, several states adopted March as Women’s History Month. In 1987, congressed passed a public law designating March as Women’s History Month.

The Diversity SIG is thrilled to feature female leaders in regional anesthesia and pain medicine for the interview series and to learn from original perspectives of the female experience in anesthesia.

An Interview with Kethy Jules-Elysee, MD

An Interview with Sandra Kopp, MD

An Interview with Eman Nada, MD, PhD

An Interview with Olga "Kiki" Nin, MD

Celebrating the Role of Women in Anesthesiology

Commitment, Ambition, and Challenges: Medicine from a Woman’s Perspective

An Interview with Kethy Jules-Elysee, MD, and Uchenna Umeh, MD

Dr. Umeh: Can you tell us where you work and your current roles at your home institution, and other societies or organizations? 

Dr. Jules-Elysee: I am an associate professor of anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medical College and an attending anesthesiologist at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York, NY. I was the director of pre-anesthesia screening for several years until recently. I am also the co-founder of Women in Medicine Society at HSS, an organization aimed at supporting women physicians at HSS. I also currently serve as vice chair of the Diversity Special Interest Group at ASRA Pain Medicine. I am also involved in community activities to promote health care in underserved populations.

Dr. Umeh: How do you celebrate Women's History Month? 

Dr. Jules-Elysee: I celebrate by honoring the wonderful women who have had an impact on my life including my mother. It is also a time to reach out to other women by giving a helping hand to those that need support and mentorship. 

Dr. Umeh: Why do you think Women's History Month is important to recognize? 

Dr. Jules-Elysee: Women have contributed a great deal in forming our society. Our contributions can be seen in every field including medicine. It is important for this to be recognized, encouraged, and acknowledged. Although, I honestly think women should be celebrated daily given the multiple roles we are called upon to fulfill.

Dr. Umeh: You were the first female anesthesiologist to join the practice at HSS. You joined the group in 1994 when there were only men in the group? What was it like in those early days? What difficulties did you face as the solo woman in the group?

Dr. Jules-Elysee: My first few years at HSS were somewhat difficult. People had to get used to working with a female anesthesiologist. Not only was I female, but I was also Black and had a foreign accent. I had to get used to working in a male predominant environment. My job was to stand strong and tall and work very hard to get respect and trust both from my anesthesia and surgical colleagues.

Dr. Umeh: How is being a female anesthesiologist in 2024 different from when you started at HSS 30 years ago?

Dr. Jules-Elysee: HSS has greatly improved since I started. I was the first female anesthesiologist hired into HSS’s private practice at that time. Things are certainly different now because women’s needs in terms of family life are being more readily recognized. The surgeons are also more receptive of having a female anesthesiologist in their operating room. It is generally a more welcoming environment given there are many other female anesthesiologists now. 

Dr. Umeh: Who has served as an inspiration in your life? 

Dr. Jules-Elysee: My mother has been a great influence in my life. In addition, I met and was inspired by a female pulmonologist, Dr. Dorothy White, while I was doing my residency in internal medicine. She stood up for what she felt was right. She deeply cared for her patients and provided excellent care for them. She was knowledgeable and a leader in research. She encouraged me to become a board-certified pulmonologist. While working in the ICU, I met some anesthesiologists and became fascinated with anesthesia. This led me to a second residency in anesthesia and have been working at HSS since graduating from the residency.  

Dr. Umeh: You currently serve as Vice Chair of the ASRA Pain Medicine Diversity SIG. Who or what inspires you to be a leader? 

Dr. Jules-Elysee: Since I was a child, I have always been involved in community activities to help others, hence my interest in health care. One of my mentors in medicine, Dr. Dorothy White, greatly influenced my way of practicing medicine and anesthesia and I learned leadership skills from her as well.

Dr. Umeh: What factors impact one’s ability to lead others?

Dr. Jules-Elysee: I believe everyone is a leader in their own special way.  Its important to continue to strive to become the best they can be in their specialty. The ability to share knowledge and guide others also fosters leadership. Having confidence, mentorship and group support are very important in developing these skills.

Dr. Umeh: ASRA Pain Medicine members have an interest in regional anesthesiology and pain medicine related topics. Please tell us about some of your research in this area.

Dr. Jules-Elysee: Excellent patient care has always been a priority for me. Keeping this as a core principle has led me to study specific areas in anesthesia which may not be popular including focusing on postoperative hyponatremia, cytokine release with surgery and use of tranexamic acid in orthopedic surgery. The overall goal of all these research projects was to continue to improve overall patient care.  

I have published several studies examining utilization of peripheral nerve blocks and epidural anesthesia to decrease postoperative pain. Most recently, I have concentrated on studies examining the role of cannabinoids such as dronabinol and CBD for postoperative pain control. 

Dr. Umeh: Many institutions have made great strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion over the years. Why are diversity, equity, and inclusion important in medicine and in our subspecialty?

Dr. Jules-Elysee: HSS has greatly improved over the past decades in terms of acknowledging women both as equal colleagues and in leadership positions. It is a work in evolution. Diversity, equity and inclusion have become important goals at HSS. Studies have shown greater creativity, smarter decision-making and problem-solving skills when teams are diverse. There is also an increase in profit and productivity. Given the multicultural aspect of medicine, diversity goes a long way.

Dr. Umeh: What challenges have you faced so far as a physician and anesthesiologist, particularly as a female physician? How did you overcome them? 

Dr. Jules-Elysee: Challenges include being recognized and included as an important member of the team. It remains very important to continue working hard, be innovative and be part of the solution. 

Dr. Umeh: What career accomplishment makes you most proud?

Dr. Jules-Elysee: In terms of accomplishments, I am proud of my research which has led to systemic changes in the hospital. In addition, I have received our institution's Teachers' Award three times, and I have been involved in several medical missions.

Dr. Umeh: What advice would you give to young physicians as they navigate their careers?

Dr. Jules-Elysee: For upcoming physicians, I would recommend that they always remember their goals and not to get distracted. The road may be tough, and at times get distracted. But remaining focused greatly helps. As a woman, especially when you appear to be different from the others, you may be overlooked. But with consistent excellent work, you will succeed. Be your own best advocate. Finding a role model or someone you can trust also helps. As women, we are always stronger when we stand together. It's very important to support each other.

Dr. Umeh: Is there anything else you would like to note?

An Interview with Sandra Kopp, MD, and Uchenna Umeh, MD

Dr. Umeh: Can you tell us where you work and your current roles at your home institution, and other societies or organizations? 

Dr. Kopp: I currently serve as professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine at Mayo Clinic Rochester and Mayo Clinic Health System in Rochester, MN. I am also vice chair of integration and convergence and chair of anesthesiology in SWMN.

Dr. Umeh: How do you celebrate Women's History Month? 

Dr. Kopp: To be perfectly honest I don’t know that I do anything specific, although I probably should!

Dr. Umeh: Why do you think Women's History Month is important to recognize? 

Dr. Kopp: It is important because this month is a time to honor the contributions and achievements that women have made throughout history. It is important that we remember those who came before us and paved the way, but it is probably most important to realize there is no limit to what women can accomplish. I think this is especially true in medicine. I know it was not always easy for those who came before me and I try every day to serve as a role model and example of what women can accomplish. 

Dr. Umeh: Who has served as an inspiration in your life? 

Dr. Kopp: I have many inspirations; some are in the medical field and some are not. My mom is incredibly strong and has always made me believe there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish and for that I will always be grateful. My daughter is an amazing young woman with so much potential. Watching her grow up in a world where women can do anything they want makes me happy. Terre Horlocker is my mentor and friend. Without her I know that I would not be where I am especially when it comes to ASRA Pain Medicine. She is the person that introduced me to everyone when I was just a resident and gave me opportunities to participate.

Dr. Kopp: I have had good role models and mentors so I have been able to see what good leaders look like. I have also had people who were willing to put me in leadership roles and help guide me to become a better leader. I love working with younger people and helping them to succeed both in my institution as well as within ASRA Pain Medicine.

Dr. Umeh: What factors impact one’s ability to lead others?

Dr. Kopp:  I firmly believe that in order to lead you need to understand and in order to understand you need to actually do the job. For the last eight years I was chair of anesthesiology in the Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS) which was 14 different sites in two states. I have worked clinically in most of the sites in the MCHS which has allowed me to earn the trust of people in these sites and together make significant changes. It has also been really interesting to work in so many different hospitals and meet so many really wonderful people.

Dr. Umeh: ASRA Pain Medicine members have an interest in regional anesthesiology and pain medicine related topics. Please tell us about some of your research in this area.

Dr. Kopp: Most of my research is in the area of regional anesthesia for total joints. We did some of the groundbreaking work on creating enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways for total joint replacement. I am honored to have been able to participate in several of the ASRA Pain Medicine practice advisories and guidelines.

Dr. Umeh: Many institutions have made great strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion over the years. Why are diversity, equity, and inclusion important in medicine and in our subspecialty?

Dr. Kopp: Having an inclusive and diverse workplace culture will help to recruit and retain talented individuals. Being surrounded by talented, diverse people makes everyone better and ensures we are surrounded by different perspectives.

Dr. Umeh: What challenges have you faced so far as a physician and anesthesiologist and particularly as a female physician? How did you overcome them? 

Dr. Kopp: Being a physician is hard, but I knew this when I signed up and therefore don’t spend much time complaining about it. Being a mom, daughter, sister, friend, and physician is even harder. I know that I will never be the best at everything, but I think I am pretty good at most things. It is a balance and knowing when things need more attention is important. I am not sure I have overcome anything, but I just don’t spend much time dwelling on it. Life is hard sometimes, but a smile and positive attitude seems to help more than complaining.

Dr. Umeh: What career accomplishment makes you most proud?

Dr. Kopp: I am most proud when my patients are happy. I am also very proud of the relationships I have built at Mayo Clinic and within ASRA Pain Medicine. Like I said before, being able to serve ASRA Pain Medicine in the future as its President has been a goal of mine and I am incredibly proud.

Dr. Umeh: What advice would you give to young physicians as they navigate their careers?

Dr. Kopp: Work hard, stay positive, things aren’t always easy, you won’t always be the best at everything. Enjoy your children they grow up quicker than you realize. Be a good colleague but be a better friend. 

Sandra Kopp, MD, is a professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine at Mayo Clinic Rochester and Mayo Clinic Health System in Rochester, MN. She received her undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Kopp did her internship, anesthesiology residency, and regional anesthesia fellowship at Mayo Clinic as well. She is currently the vice chair of integration and convergence at the Mayo Clinic and chair of anesthesiology in SWMN. She currently serves as Treasurer on ASRA Pain Medicine's Board of Directors.

An Interview with Eman Nada, MD, PhD, and Uchenna Umeh, MD

Dr. Umeh: Can you tell us where you work and your current roles at your home institution, and other societies or organizations? 

Dr. Nada: I am an associate professor and the chief of regional and orthopedic anesthesia division at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY. I am also the medical director of acute pain management of the Stony Brook Health System. I am also faculty at ASRA Pain Medicine and a member of the research committee. I also serve as the vice chair of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) abstract review subcommittee on regional anesthesia. I am also a member of other committees at ASA, the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care, and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists. 

Dr. Umeh: How do you celebrate Women's History Month? 

Dr. Nada: We women anesthesiologists in our department – residents and attendings – gathered and discussed two articles related to women’s leadership in anesthesia.  I have also been circulating some posts that show the strengths and achievements of women physicians and leaders. 

Dr. Umeh: Why do you think Women's History Month is important to recognize? 

Dr. Nada: It is important as women’s achievements are not as visible as their male colleagues. So, it is important to shed some light on these achievements in order to overcome the stereotypes that have held women back. 

Dr. Umeh: Who has served as an inspiration in your life? 

Dr. Nada: Many people have served as inspiration in my life, both men and women.  However, I see Kayser Enneking, MD, as a woman role model in regional anesthesia that I have always looked up to. Also, my late father was the first and most impactful in my life. He always encouraged me to the greatest extent possible, and never thought that I was less than a man. 

Dr. Nada: This is a great question and sometimes I ask myself this question. Leadership is more work and responsibility because you are not responsible for your work only. After years of practice, I realized some problems in the field that needed attention, and I had a vision on how to address them. My vision in acute pain and regional anesthesia was to improve the overall hospital pain experience. Despite the advancement in knowledge and technology, the care of the acute pain patient is fragmented, and suboptimal, there are still many barriers that need to be overcome.

Dr. Umeh: What factors impact one’s ability to lead others?

Dr. Nada: Building trust with the team. This trust takes longtime to build, psychological safety, leading by example, stand for your team when needed - for legitimate reasons of course-.

Dr. Umeh: ASRA Pain Medicine members have an interest in regional anesthesiology and pain medicine related topics. Please tell us about some of your research in this area.

Dr. Nada: My current interest is about postoperative pain management of spine surgery. Other topics I worked on include epidural space related anatomy and optimizing epidural analgesia. We did a cadaver study trying to understand the anatomy of the nerve to vastus medialis and also worked on the number of injections needed to increase the success of supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Dr. Umeh: Many institutions have made great strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion over the years. Why are diversity, equity, and inclusion important in medicine and in our subspecialty?

Dr. Nada: Diversity, equity, and inclusion bring value to our work. Different experiences inspire different thinking. Having one group of people will only bring similar ideas. It is especially important to have a diverse group in pain medicine, as the pain experiences can be influenced by the cultural beliefs. Having diversity in the group enhances the understanding of patients as a whole and helps us to better meet the patient needs. 

Dr. Umeh: What challenges have you faced so far as a physician and anesthesiologist, particularly as a female physician? How did you overcome them? 

Dr. Nada: Each role comes with its own challenges. As a physician academician, the main challenge is to have a balanced productivity in the three pillars of academia – clinical, research, and education. As an anesthesiologist, the challenge is the invisibility of the impact of what we do. As a female physician, we always have to prove ourselves and have to do more to be seen. I overcome these challenges by hard work, good communication, and building relationships. 

Dr. Umeh: What career accomplishment makes you most proud?

Dr. Nada: I am thankful that I have many things I am proud of; however, last year I published a book that uses the problem-based discussion format in the education of regional anesthesia. This book was a concerted effort between Dr. Nabil Elkassabany and me, as well as three section editors, more than 80 authors, and Dr. Magdalena Anitecsu, who is the series editor. It is a 50-chapter book. We tried to make the scenarios interesting, with knowledge up to date, and it is illustrated. 

Dr. Umeh: What advice would you give to young physicians as they navigate their careers?

Dr. Nada: Never stop learning; you learn the main bulk in residency, but there is a lot more to learn over the years.

Dr. Umeh: Is there anything else you would like to note?

Eman Nada, MD, PhD, is an associate professor and the chief of regional and orthopedic anesthesia division at Stony Brook University, in Stony Brook, NY. She graduated from Alexandria University in Alexandria, Egypt. She completed her anesthesiology residency, followed by a masters and a doctorate in anesthesia from the same university. She immigrated to the United States in 2010 and completed another anesthesia residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR. She completed two fellowships, one in regional anesthesia and a second in neuroanesthesia at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH. She has always believed in the journey rather than the destination. During her journey, she grew as a humanist and an anesthesiologist. As an immigrant minority woman, she is a strong believer of diversity, equity, and inclusion and is actively involved in promoting it.

An Interview with Olga "Kiki" Nin, MD, and Uchenna Umeh, MD

  

Dr. Umeh: Can you tell us where you work and your current roles at your home institution, and other societies or organizations? 

Dr. Nin: I am an associate professor, assistant chair of the department of anesthesia, medical director of the Florida Surgical Center Ambulatory Center and The Oaks, division of acute and perioperative pain medicine, and University of Florida MBA Candidate class of 2025. I work for the University of Florida (UF) Health in Gainesville, Florida. I am the co-chair for ASRA Pain Medicine's LGBTQIA+ Special Interest Group.

Dr. Umeh: How do you celebrate Women's History Month? 

Dr. Nin: Each week during Women’s History Month, we publish a piece featuring a different woman anesthesiologist from our department to celebrate her accomplishments and contributions to the field. 

Dr. Umeh: Why do you think Women's History Month is important to recognize? 

Dr. Nin: Women in academia and leadership are incredible role models. We need to support each other and continue to mentor the next generation. It’s essential for us to recognize the amazing work that women do in our field and show our young faculty what they can accomplish.

Dr. Umeh: Who has served as an inspiration in your life? Who inspired you to be a leader and why? 

Dr. Nin: My dad has been my inspiration all my life and has given me the drive to always give 100% to my work and help others. He taught me to be a servant leader before I knew the meaning of the concept, devoting 100% to my work and to the service of others. He inspired me by example and encouraged me to pursue my goals. 

Dr. Umeh: You currently serve as medical director of the Florida Surgical Center and co-chair of ASRA Pain Medicine’s LGBTQIA+ SIG. Who inspires you to be a leader? 

Dr. Nin: Kayser Enneking, MD, has been my mentor and has inspired me to become the best clinician and leader I can be. Dr. Enneking was the chair of Anesthesia when I joined UF for residency in 2009. As a CA-1, I had a big idea for an international patient safety project that she not only encouraged but took time with me to support my idea and help make it a reality and a success. As a leader, her presence and engagement with the faculty and trainees showed she truly cared. She was the consummate advocate as chair, and I hold her in tremendous esteem as one of my most important role models. She won ASRA Pain Medicine's Gaston Labat Award in 2021 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the UF College of Medicine, to name a few. I would not be the physician I am today without her influence.

Dr. Umeh: What motivated you to step up and become a leader within your institution?

Dr. Nin: My institution has given me so much and provided me with incredible mentors. I am motivated to give back to the department and become part of the leadership team that strives to improve patient care and staff satisfaction. In other societies, like ASRA Pain Medicine, I want to do the same. Service to my patients and my colleagues brings me joy and professional fulfillment.

Dr. Umeh: What factors impact one’s ability to lead others?

Dr. Nin: Compassion, selflessness, and empathy.

Dr. Umeh: ASRA Pain Medicine members have an interest in regional anesthesiology and pain medicine-related topics. Please tell us about some of your work in this area.

Dr. Nin: My most significant interests include nerve microanatomy, opioid-free surgery, enhanced recovery after anesthesia, quality, and diversity/equity/inclusion.

Dr. Umeh: Many institutions have made great strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion over the years. Why are diversity, equity, and inclusion important in medicine and in our subspecialty?

Dr. Nin: Our profession has been greatly enriched by working alongside people from different ethnicities and countries. Both personally and professionally, opening our minds and hearts to learn from others leads to a much more fulfilling, pleasant life. Additionally, a diverse anesthesia and pain medicine workforce is critical to providing the best possible care for our patients. My life and my profession would be very limited if all of my friends, family, and colleagues looked and thought like me. 

Dr. Umeh: What challenges have you faced so far as a physician and anesthesiologist, and particularly as a female and LGBTQ+ physician? How did you overcome them?

Dr. Nin: I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by colleagues in my department who have embraced my family and myself with no judgment and with kindness. I strive to support my LGBTQ+ colleagues and trainees as they negotiate their careers.

Dr. Umeh: What career accomplishment makes you most proud?

Dr. Nin: I am most proud of becoming the assistant chair of the department and being a part of the core leadership. It’s a great honor to be recognized by the department.

Dr. Umeh: What advice would you give to young physicians as they navigate their careers?

Dr. Nin: Look for mentors that inspire you and remember that your career is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time to enjoy every part of it.

Dr. Umeh: Is there anything else you would like to note?

Olga Nin, MD, is a clinical associate professor, assistant chair for anesthesiology clinical services, and the medical director for the UF Health Florida Surgical Center and UF Health The Oaks. She joined the UF department of anesthesiology in 2014 as a clinical assistant professor of anesthesiology in the division of acute pain medicine. She received her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Brown University in Providence, RI, followed by a medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia, PA. She completed both her residency and regional anesthesiology fellowships at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.

Celebrating the Role of Women in Anesthesiology
By: Erica Tafuro, MD

Erica Tafuro, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in Yew York, NY, specializing in regional anesthesiology. Dr. Tafuro completed her anesthesiology residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, NY where she also served as chief resident in her final year. After residency, she completed a fellowship in regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine at HSS, accepting a position to return as an attending physician.

As a fellow at HSS, Dr. Tafuro had an academic focus in Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and incorporated this skill set with her interest in global health. Together with the Global Musculoskeletal Health Equity Division (GMHED), Dr. Tafuro piloted the POCUS training program at Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad, India to provide a standard for which POCUS training occurs in a limited resource setting. The goal of this initiative was to closely follow the Global Regional Anesthesia Curricular Engagement (GRACE) study, pioneered by GMHED to improve anesthesia care and decrease perioperative morbidity for faster diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions with POCUS in a cost-effective way.

Commitment, Ambition, and Challenges: Medicine from a Woman’s Perspective
By: Carmen Gurrieri,  MD

Leaders, mentors, roles model, innovators. That’s what comes to my mind when I think about being a woman in the medical field. This is probably because I have met such incredible, successful, and inspiring women in my life, starting from my two grandmothers and my mom.  

I am the youngest of a family of four. Despite the fact that I am a grown woman, they still call me “baby.” Welcome to an Italian family! I was born and grew up in the South part of Italy, in the beautiful island of Sicily where I obtained my medical degree. I moved to the United States over ten years ago as a research fellow at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where I had the pleasure and honor to complete both my residency in anesthesia and my fellowship in regional anesthesia. I currently work in a community hospital in Wisconsin which is part of the Mayo Clinic Health System.    

Since 1849, when the first woman in United States, Elizabeth Blackwell, received her medical degree, a lot of things have happened and have changed; however, being a woman in medicine still comes with some challenges. When I was a senior resident, I was helping a junior co-resident place a postoperative block in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The supervising anesthesiologist was there with us. At the end of the procedure, he complimented both of us. But he addressed my male co-resident as “doctor” and myself as “Carmen.” Immediately I said, “Why didn’t you call me doctor? I am a doctor too.” My attending was astonished and so was I. He apologized. It never happened again.

During the first few weeks as an attending, I took care of a postoperative patient with pain/sedation mismatch. I asked the PACU nurse to give the patient some intravenous ketamine, but the nurse refused to do it because she didn’t feel comfortable. The following day, a senior coworker of mine had a similar scenario in the PACU. He asked the nurse to give intravenous ketamine and the nurse did it without even questioning him. It was the same nurse who refused to do it for me. This made me think. I asked myself "why she didn’t do it for me?" I thought she didn’t trust me or perhaps she didn’t like me.

“Am I adequate at my job?” “Am I enough?” “Do I need to work harder?” Does it all sound familiar to you? All is very familiar to me.

Why as women are we so hard on ourselves? We think to be infallible. We think we cannot complain when we are sleep deprived or tired, because that’s how it works when you are a mother and you have a busy job. We have the fear to be judged as women who have invested more in their careers rather than their families. This is my biggest struggle and I bet it is for many of you. Work-life balance is what matters most. But this comes with a price, especially when you are a very ambitious person like me. I don’t want to turn down any job or leadership opportunities, nor take time away from my family. Some days I struggle a lot. I feel guilty if I am not at home in time when my kids come home from daycare. I feel guilty whenever I am away for work. This is the dilemma. Am I more of a mom, a wife, or a physician? We shouldn’t even question it. We have the privilege to have the ability to do it all. But unfortunately, I think, there is still a lot to do in our field to support women and their needs as mothers and professionals.

Be strong, be resilient, and be your best advocate!

Suggested Reading: 

1. Sklar DP. Women in medicine: enormous progress, stubborn challenges. Acad Med 2016;91(8):1033-5. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000001259  
2. Joseph MM, Ahasic AM, Clark J, et al. State of women in medicine: history, challenges, and the benefits of a diverse workforce. Pediatrics 2021;148 (Suppl 2):e2021051440C. https://doi.org/ 10.1542/peds.2021-051440C
3. Wood, M. Women in medicine: then and now. Anesth Analg 2015;120(5):963-5. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000000713  

Carmen Gurrieri, MD, is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, WI. She joined the practice after completing both anesthesiology residency and regional anesthesia fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She is originally from Italy. She earned her medical degree at the University of Catania in Catania, Sicily, and she also completed an anesthesia residency there. She moved to the United States as a research fellow in anesthesiology at the the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She is currently the director of the research division in anesthesiology and she is also actively involved in education. As the only female anesthesiologist and only immigrant physician of her practice, she is a strong believer of diversity, equity, and inclusion.