Women in Medicine and Science Host 9th Annual Spring Dinner

To celebrate the contributions of female faculty and researchers, the Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) hosted their ninth annual spring dinner in the Virginia G. Piper auditorium at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

A reflection of the work that has been done over the years, the spring dinner continues to serve as a staple moment for the organization, where networking and camaraderie occur amongst those who attend.

“We are here to support the work that is happening in science that’s being led by many women here on our campus,” Dean Lucio said. “We have folks who are young trainees and those who are in the middle of their careers and those with more experience all in one room, and that’s fantastic to see.”

Shirin Doroudgar, PhD, an assistant professor of Internal Medicine and director of WIMS at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, reflected on the history of the program since its beginnings in 2017 and the accomplishments its accumulated thus far.

“WIMS is no longer emerging. We are an established unit,” Dr. Doroudgar said. “Proving that when we support one another, the entire institution rises.”

Throughout the years, WIMS has organized professional development opportunities — such as media training and negotiation — for its constituents. In addition, the staff committee has published papers and focused data behind equity in academic medicine.

“There are people following our footsteps. They’re watching how we speak about our work, and they’re looking to us to see if there’s a place for them here,” Dr. Doroudgar said. “Let’s continue to pave the way. We want those who come after us to have a clear path to follow.”

Dean Wondisford also used the occasion to highlight his wife Sally Radovick, MD, director of the Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program at the U of A, and her work as a successful pediatric endocrinologist.

Together, they raised two daughters who continued to follow their parent’s path, with one daughter becoming a stroke neurologist and the younger daughter recently graduating from medical school.

Dean Wondisford then introduced Patricia Prelock, PhD, provost and chief academic officer at the University of Arizona, as the keynote speaker for the event.

“Dr. Prelock has a remarkably accomplished career, publishing over 200 papers and winning numerous awards,” Dean Wondisford said. “What makes her special as a provost is how she approaches her job.”

Provost Prelock gave attendees insight into her childhood, detailing the tremendous resilience it took to overcome personal tragedy. Much of her strength, she said, stemmed from the deaths of four of her siblings over the years.

“There are so many more things that are so important, and I try not to sweat the small stuff, even when I get agitated by women not being seen and observed in leadership,” Dr. Provost said. “I always say that I have to choose my own path.”

One of her siblings had Down syndrome. In a time when not much was being done in the field of developmental disabilities, Dr. Prelock presented a science project on the affliction. This experience served as a steppingstone to a career in medicine and advocacy for people with disabilities.

“I decided at age 14 that I wanted to be a speech language pathologist, and I realized that I wanted to work with people who didn’t have a voice,” Provost Prelock said. “That’s why my focus in research has been autism, and for a long time, we’ve been doing work in social behavioral connections for families.”

Provost Prelock concluded her speech with a desire to support her mentees and provided a call to action for those in the audience to do the same.

“I want them to support and enjoy their families, while at the same time, being a wonderful researcher or scientist or teacher,” Dr. Prelock said. “There are ways to do that if you have supportive people. There are mentors who encourage mentees to have a work/life balance.”

The evening was accompanied by a special guitar performance by Ayman Fanous, MD, chair of the College of Medicine – Phoenix’s Department of Psychiatry, as well as a networking opportunity with coffee and other refreshments. An accomplished jazz guitarist, Dr. Fanous played two melodic interludes for the audience.