MWF Student Section Update - January 2025
Hannah Lazarus, Swansea University MWF Representative:
Last year the MWF Student Representatives held multiple successful local events. This included a coordinated event with the Wales MWF chapter to run a self-defence class for women doctors and women medical students, with 16 attendees. Attendees thoroughly enjoyed this event and felt empowered afterwards. Working in association with Swansea Women in Medicine (SWIM) society, we have hosted monthly meet-ups where female medical students gather to meet one another and discuss set topics, such as imposter syndrome, how to prepare for placement, how to raise concerns on placement. Students and medical school staff attend these monthly meetings. With SWIM we also hosted an evening lecture on menopause, delivered by guest speaker Dr Lucy Noonan-Croft. Other events we’ve hosted include a number of social events, including cookie decorating and beach walks. Upcoming projects include coordinating with the Swansea Surgical Society in a conference in May/June 2025; coordinating with the Swanse Obs & Gynae society for a career in O&G talk; coordinating with the Cardiff MWF reps to host a panel event.
MWF University of Leeds: Surviving in Scrubs Collaborative talk
An update on the Surviving in Scrubs Collaborative event from the Leeds MWF student representative, Isabella Ponsford:
The Surviving in Scrubs talk with speaker Dr Becky Cox was an inspirational webinar providing insight whilst bringing light to key issues of sexism and sexual assault encountered by those working in healthcare daily. The passion and dedication in supporting and speaking up for those affected by sexual misconduct and sexual harassment in healthcare is astounding from surviving in scrubs. Dr Becky Cox and her co-founder Dr Chelcie Jewitt have campaigned numerously and achieved publicity on sky news and in parliament providing an insightful description of their journey to the creation of Surviving in Scrubs. Additionally, they work with a range of national healthcare organisations demonstrating the significance of their campaign as well as their dedicated work in supporting others. The surviving in scrubs website provides very informative statistics and an area for submission to submit stories for those who would like to share their personal experiences sexism, sexual harassment, and sexual assault in healthcare. It is very pleasing to have provided the opportunity for healthcare students at Leeds University to have listened to the surviving in scrubs talk which is highly recommend to other MWF student representatives at their respective universities to inspire students to advocate and build confidence in providing a supportive environment for healthcare workers.
MWF Hull York Medical School: Women in Cardiology
An update on the Women in Cardiology Collaborative event with the Women in Cardiology Organisation and HYMS Cardiology Society from the HYMS MWF student representative, Charlotte Collin:
On the 2nd of December the Hull York MWF branch, partnered with the Hull York Cardiology Society and ‘Women in Cardiology’ organisation hosted a webinar in order to tackle misconceptions about being a woman in Cardiology and to also inspire female identifying students and resident doctors to consider such a rewarding career.
A forum of 6 female cardiologists from all over the UK agreed to take part: Dr Clare Appleby, Dr Ayisha Khan-Kheil, Dr Melissa Bouchard, Dr Joyee Basu, Dr Nithusa Rahunathan and Professor Monica Monaghan. Three main topics were discussed:
1. Being a woman in medicine- What are the hardest challenges of being a woman in medicine and how did you overcome them? Have you ever experienced direct or indirect discrimination? How do you balance having a family- is the NHS accommodating?
2. Being a woman in Cardiology- Why are there less women in cardiology than men and what can we do to change that? What are the hardest parts of applying for the specialty training?
3. A career in cardiology- What are the sub-specialties including in cardiology and why did you choose your chosen career? What is the future of cardiology looking like?
There was then a Q&A from the audience and it was lovely to hear so much engagement from medical students. The webinar was an eye opening and impactful start into getting more female medical students to consider Cardiology as a future career.
MWF Hull York Medical School: Women in Orthopaedic Surgery Talk, collaborated with HYMS Trauma & Orthopaedic Society
An update by Charlotte MacAulay the HYMS T&O President on the collaborative MWF talk:
On 24th October, Professor Scarlett McNally delivered an insightful webinar for the Hull York Medical School Trauma and Orthopaedic Society as part of the Women in Orthopaedic Surgery Autumn Series. Her talk focused on her journey to becoming an orthopaedic surgeon, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in this traditionally male-dominated specialty and the strategies for overcoming them.
Despite increasing efforts to promote diversity in surgery, women in orthopaedics continue to face barriers, including unconscious bias, limited representation in leadership roles, and the challenges of balancing surgical training with other commitments. Professor McNally highlighted the importance of mentorship, flexible training pathways, and strong professional networks in supporting women through their surgical careers. She also discussed the broader impact of diversity in surgery, emphasising how an inclusive workforce improves patient care by fostering innovation and a wider range of perspectives in clinical decision-making.
The webinar served as a platform for recognition and inspiration, encouraging aspiring surgeons to pursue careers in orthopaedics while reinforcing the need for continued progress in gender equality. By sharing experiences and insights, events like these contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment for current and future surgeons.
The Women in Orthopaedic Surgery Autumn Series continues to celebrate and support the contributions of women in the field, offering valuable discussions on the realities of surgical training and career development. As we move forward, it is essential to keep these conversations alive and actively work towards a profession where opportunities are truly equal for all.
MWF Imperial: Fempowered Social
An update on the ‘Fempowered Social’ Organised by the MWF Imperial Student team in collaboration with FemTech, Women in Business and Women in SET, written by the MWF Imperial Representative, Devangi Vyas.
On Tuesday, 15th October, we hosted the inaugural Imperial MWF event, ‘Fempowered Social,’ in collaboration with FemTech, Women in Business, and Women in SET. The event featured introductions from the presidents of each society, followed by opportunities for mingling, networking, and a lively Kahoot quiz covering topics such as women’s health, women in science, and women in business. Attendees also enjoyed plenty of pizza and snacks. Our president, Devangi Vyas, highlighted the critical role of Imperial MWF as a platform to amplify the voices of women in medicine and ensure they are heard and valued. Additionally, Imperial Marrow delivered an inspiring talk on the significance of stem cell transplantation. The event, which drew an impressive turnout of over 100 attendees, aimed to promote awareness of women’s health and careers in STEM, business, and medicine while fostering a sense of community among women across various disciplines at Imperial. Activities included a reflective session titled ‘I’m a Woman, and I Am…’ and group discussions where attendees shared their future goals and aspirations. This successful event was made possible by the hard work and dedication of the committee, whose efforts ensured a seamless and impactful experience for all participants.
MWF Cambridge: Women in Surgery Conference March 2025
An update from the MWF Cambridge University Student Representative Shivika Sharma:
We are excited to announce that the MWF Cambridge Team is collaborating with the Cambridge University Surgical Society (CUSS) and Imperial College Surgical Society (ICSS) to expand this year’s Women in Surgery conference into a larger Diversity in Surgery event. Scheduled for early March 2025 at Imperial College London (final details to be confirmed), the conference will feature engaging talks and workshops to inspire the next generation of diverse surgeons. We are delighted that Professor Scarlett McNally, President of MWF, will be speaking at the event to highlight MWF’s commitment to supporting women and diversity in surgery. An MWF stand will also be present, offering tote bags and resources to raise awareness and encourage student membership. For students, we encourage you to stay tuned to our social media channels, where we will soon announce details about speakers, workshops, and ticket availability.
