The Cardiovascular Division at Washington University School of Medicine strives to foster an environment that supports women who are interested in pursuing a career in cardiovascular medicine. We seek to provide opportunities for women to strengthen their professional support system and leadership skills through networking events, professional development and mentoring programs.
Initiative for Mentoring, Promoting Networking and Advocacy for Cardiology Trainees: The IMPACT Program
Our program recognizes that women fellows may face unique challenges during fellowship training and while preparing for the transition from fellowship to early career. The Initiative for Mentoring, Promoting Networking and Advocacy for Cardiology Trainees (IMPACT) program, headed by Dr. Sharon Cresci, was launched in 2014 to address these challenges and to further support our women Cardiology Fellows. IMPACT provides female fellows the opportunity to connect with and be mentored by current faculty as well as network with past alumni. These experiences foster both personal and professional development, and promote leadership, career, and research opportunities, both during fellowship and after graduation. In addition to directing IMPACT, Dr. Cresci serves as a fellow liaison and advocate for our women fellows. She has an open-door policy for all female fellows with questions, problems or challenges that arise during the fellowship training. The IMPACT program is committed to supporting our women fellows in their efforts to achieve their career goals.
As a female interventional cardiovascular fellow, it was personally important for me to identify attending cardiologists who once traveled down the path I will embarked on. Their success stories in balancing the demands of an invasive specialty, expectations in academics, and family responsibilities have been motivation that I, too, can strive for what was previously called ‘the impossible.’ Such interaction and support is provided by programs like IMPACT. Having interviewed across the country at many cardiology programs, I was grateful that my fellowship had such a resource, since it is not in place at many training programs. IMPACT provides support, networking, and leadership throughout fellowship and beyond and it is exactly the type of program that will help launch the next generation of successful women in cardiology.
Nishtha Sodhi, general cardiology and interventional/structural cardiology fellow
Forum for Women in Internal Medicine
Supporting women in medicine is a key priority for the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. The Forum for Women in Medicine (FWIM) was created in 2014 to support the professional and personal development of the women trainees in the Department of Medicine. FWIM hosts workshops, lectures, and networking events throughout the academic year to provide career development guidance, facilitate mentoring opportunities and foster a sense of camaraderie within the women in the training program.
Lactation Rooms
Washington University School of Medicine is committed to promoting healthy families by supporting students, faculty, and trainees who breastfeed. For more information visit the lactation rooms website.