ACOEP’s Council for Women in Emergency Medicine is only two years old, but already it has grown exponentially, offering a place for women in EM to collaborate, connect, and navigate the challenges specific to women in this field.

The Council has worked to plan excellent educational opportunities at the upcoming Scientific Assembly in Denver, as well as a luncheon and social outing where members can get to know one aother better.

Nicky Ottens, ACOEP Board member and chair of the Council agreed to answer some questions about these plans, as well as what the future holds for ACOEP’s Council for Women in EM.

Can you describe ACOEP’s Council for Women in EM for those who may not know? What does this Council offer that members can’t find elsewhere?

ACOEP’s Council for Women in Emergency Medicine specifically engages and addresses the needs and issues for women in emergency medicine. It offers these women a place to connect with other women to create friendships and mentoring relationships, and a place to discuss the issues that women face specifically. These issues may include, but are not limited to, gender inequality in the workplace, patient misconceptions and biases about physicians being only male, how to be a female leader, balancing motherhood and work, career advancement, and leadership roles for women

What’s on the agenda for the Council’s meeting at Scientific Assembly?

The agenda for Scientific Assembly includes the lectures targeted (though not exclusive) to women. The first is on Monday, Noveber 6th at 3:30pm with Dr. Hala Sabry, titled “The Juggling Act: Balancing Family and EM Careers,” and at 4:30 “Gender Disparities in Clinical Care.” Dr. Sabry is the creator and co-administrator to the Facebook group PMG (Physician Moms Group) which has over 70,000 members internationally.

The second lecture is at 4:00pm on November 6th also and is called “Beating Burnout” with Dr. Annahieta Kalantari. She is on the speaker’s bureau for FemInEm. Additionally, we will have our annual Women’s Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov 7th from 12:30-2:30pm. At the meeting there will be a guest speaker and awards for some outstanding pioneering women in emergency medicine.  A council meeting will follow the luncheon festivities. We’re also planning a social outing that evening as well to a local winery.

The Council is new, but has grown very quickly. What excites you most about the Council’s progress so far?

What excites me most about the quick growth of the council is the enthusiasm from our membership and their desire to get involved. I love seeing women supporting women. And the upcoming physicians are starving for mentors and relationships with other women who have gone before them and paved the way. I also love the social interaction we have at our luncheon. Once a minority in emergency medicine, our numbers are growing rapidly and so are the opportunities for us.

Who can get involved with the Council? What’s the best way to get information and participate?

Anyone can get involved! We are always looking for more engagement with our members and input on how to best serve our members. The best way to get information is at the above events. But you can also go to the ACOEP website or the Facebook account we have and plug in that way.

What does the future hold for ACOEP’s Council for Women in EM? What are the major goals?

I anticipate the council will grow and become a full-fledged committee in the next two years and we are already planning a full track at Spring Seminar.

To read more from this interview, click here.