Women Faculty Leaders (from left to right)
Top Row: Jill Jacobs, M.D., Georgeann McGuinness, M.D.
Middle Row: Elissa Kramer, M.D., Nancy Genieser, M.D. Hildegard Toth, M.D.
Bottom Row: Nancy Fefferman, M.D., Genevieve Bennett, M.D.
The recent comments of Lawrence Summers, President of Harvard, regarding the intrinsic aptitude of women in science underscore the necessity for continuous assessment of an organization’s priorities and responsibility to create a nurturing environment for all of its members. Why did the informal comments made in a private meeting by the President of Harvard evoke such a clamor in the media, engender so much emotional response within his university and in academia in general, and ultimately catalyze an examination of the representation of women in faculty hiring, faculty positions, and in tenure awards at Harvard? Indeed, the distress kindled particularly by Summers’ remarks reveals the broad scope of awareness that gender-related problems are present and significant, and that society may not be comfortable with our treatment of women in the workplace.
There are numerous studies documenting issues related to the paucity of women in leadership positions in academic medicine today. Radiology is not an exception to this problem and, indeed, is one of the specialties exhibiting such a dearth. Despite the fact that women constitute approximately 50% of the entering classes in medical schools in the United States only 25% of the residency class in Radiology is comprised of women. This discrepancy has been attributed to many factors; amongst them are: (1) lack of confidence in abilities in this perceived challenging field; (2) lack of interest in high technology; (3) perceived limited patient contact; and (4) lack of mentors and role models. The first three issues are clearly important; however, the last issue has been a constant theme for the past 15 years not only in radiology but throughout all of academic medicine. In October of 2004, the Association of American Medical Colleges reported that women constitute only 14% of tenured faculty, 12% of full professors and 10% of senior administrative positions in medical schools. This is despite the fact that 36% of assistant professors entering academic medicine are women.
In the Department of Radiology at NYU approximately 40% of the faculty are female—amongst these are 5 section chiefs and 3 (out of 6) Vice Chairs (please refer to the cover of this magazine, depicting a gender based representation of the organizational structure of our department). Of our tenured clinical faculty 26% are women. Our trainees, residents and fellows, are 36% women, with 3 out of 6 of our chief residents being female.
The NYU Radiology Department is proud of all of its able members, but is particularly pleased by its apparent success at providing a receptive environment for women, as evidenced by their unusually strong representation, and the high level of professional achievement of its female members. A controllable lifestyle is one factor that influences career choice and professional success. Cultivating a nurturing environment requires flexibility in the workplace and in employment. This ‘work outside the box’ mindset has aided in recruitment and retention of superb staff. We have a number of individuals of both sexes who spend part of their work-week at off-site locations. Our department vigorously encourages the efforts of women with young children; in fact, part-time employment is supported for both men and women. The department strives to employ sufficient faculty so that requisite call would not become onerous. One aspect of this initiative was to recruit a full-time emergency radiology section, with consequent decrease in stress and lifestyle improvement for all.
How did NYU Radiology arrive at the enviable position of bucking national gender trends in academic departments? Clearly responsive leadership receptive to the challenges unique to professional women can take only part of the credit for creating an environment where women professionally thrive. The encouraging answer is that these circumstances, once established, are self-perpetuating. Our female leaders in radiology provide visible role models for trainees and junior faculty of both sexes; however, they are particularly compelling examples of professional success for other women. Mentors, essential for career development, facilitate successful navigation through today’s demanding academic environment, providing support, counsel, guidance, and insights into the institution, the specialty, and academic success.
That these women engender a critical role in particular to junior women is evidenced by the comments below. The women in leadership positions at NYU Radiology were asked to offer their unique insights on these issues. Some of them cite the influential and inspirational role of a senior woman leader in our department in their own professional development. Their comments are particularly poignant given the controversy provoked by concerns widely articulated in response to the comments of President Summers.
On Role Models and Inspirations
Nancy Fefferman, M.D. (Section Chief, Pediatric Radiology)
“I think that role models have a tremendous influence on the choices we make. Nancy Genieser (former Section Chief Pediatric Radiology and presently Vice Chair/Director of Bellevue Radiology) is one of the role models in my life who has truly inspired me to pursue a full-time career in medicine. As a resident, fellow, and attending, I have always admired her incredible accomplishments and the ease and finesse with which she seems to manage life.”
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