Today would have been Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell’s 168th birthday. She was the first American woman to earn a medical degree, in 1849.
Dr. Blackwell started the movement that finally gave women the chance to participate fully in the medical profession.
We need to remodel society if it will not allow for women to develop freely. Scientist Elizabeth Blackwell, PhD
The day honours not only Elizabeth Blackwell’s bravery, but also that of all female doctors throughout history. Furthermore, the day aims to improve working conditions for the increasing number of women doctors.
In 2016
35% of all doctors were female, a number that had been steadily rising over the previous two decades.
Compared to their male counterparts, female doctors earn an average of 8 percent less per year, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2017.
This disparity exists alongside the fact that a significant proportion of female medical professionals (33%) have experienced sexual harassment or bias in the workplace. There is, obviously, much more to do.
The achievements of female medical professionals throughout history are celebrated annually on National Women Physicians Day.
This day also serves as a reminder of the importance of empowering women in the workplace and in the home.
Celebrate these successes alongside your female physicians on National Women’s Physicians Day and show your appreciation for female physicians in all their roles.
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An Overview Of The Origins Of National Women’s Health Day.
Elizabeth Blackwell, who was famously allowed to attend medical school ‘as a joke,’ became the first woman in the United States to graduate from medical school in 1849. She went on to become the first in her class and a well regarded doctor.
Blackwell played a pivotal role in launching the movement that opened doors for women to enter the medical sector and ultimately helped them achieve parity with men there.
National Women Physicians Day, held annually on her birthday of February 3, honours her legacy of paving the way for and advancing women in the field of medicine.
This day, started in 2016 by Physician Moms Group, recognises the more than 170 years of efforts that have gone into making workplaces better for women physicians and recognising the breaking down of gender barriers in the medical field.
National Women Physicians Day is a day to honour the many women who have made significant contributions to medicine.
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A Guide To Honoring Women Doctors On Their Special Day
Consider doing any or all of the following in honour of National Women Physicians Day:
Please Recognize A Female Doctor
For National Women Physicians Day, it’s important to show appreciation to the female doctors in your life by reaching out to them in some way (a note, a card, a social media post, a phone call, etc.).
Tell them how much you value their contributions and how much their efforts contribute to the world.
Schedule A Visit with A Female Doctor
Maybe you’ve been meaning to schedule an appointment or are thinking about switching doctors.
In honour of National Day for Women Doctors, it’s important to remember that female doctors may be found in every area of medicine.
Some research suggests that female medical professionals may outperform their male counterparts in several key areas: patient communication, care quality, and test scores.
Female doctors have been shown to have a lower mortality rate than their male colleagues in at least one research.
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Get your medical degree!
Young women and girls who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine now have more options than ever before.
Since there is still a severe shortage of medical professionals, today, National Women Physicians Day, is a great day to finally apply to medical school.
Dr. Hala Sabry started Physician Moms Group (PMG) in November 2014 so that other female doctors who are also mothers may have a place to network with one another and offer mutual support and advice.
The primary goals of the PMG are to serve as a resource, a meeting place for like-minded people, and a vehicle for information exchange.
More than 65,000 women doctors of every gender and medical background are part of the PMG community. Visit www.mypmg.org and @PhysicianMomsGp on Twitter for updates.
