Today is #NationalWomenPhysicianDay in the US. It specifically also remembers Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, first female medical school graduate in US and first female physician on the GMC in the UK. (Dr. Emily Winifred Dickson was Ireland’s first female doctor some years later.) Given that this weekend we are celebrating mná-some women across Ireland – past and present – for St. Brigid’s Day, let’s break down some reasons why this matters:
In numerous studies across UK, US, and Ireland, female medical students and trainees suffer gender-based harassment and discrimination disproportionately to their male colleagues.
Despite making up nearly 41% of the total number of doctors in Ireland, women are under-represented in consultant posts, especially in many surgical sub-specialties.
This really matters to patients – because international studies show that female patients especially often have better outdcomes when they have care led by a female physician or surgeon.
On my walk home tonight, the Samuel Beckett bridge was lit up for #BrigitsDay
How symbolic to light up a bridge. And today.
Brigit is literally a bridge, between the Druid and pagan rites and Christianity. She is both goddess and Saint. Her festival is #imbolc, halfway between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.
And the celebration of Ireland’s female matron is a celebration of the role of women.
Also an uncanny coincidence that during a festival celebrating a goddess once associated with healing, it is also the birthday of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. The first female physician in the US, and first female physician on UK GMC. Her advocacy for women’s inclusion in medical education is a lasting legacy remembered in US today #nationalwomenphysiciansday
All this month, you can follow Women in Medicine in Ireland @WomenMedIreland on social media#BrigidsCross for daily stark statistics about continuing gender discrimination and harassment in healthcare and what that means for healthcare, physicians, and patients.
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