A note from the WPS chair
February 2025
From WPS Chair Elisa Choi, MD
WPS policymaking
The WPS Policymaking Committee has drafted nearly a dozen resolutions for A-25; stay tuned for updates. For all other resolutions for consideration, WPS members must submit their final drafts by Feb. 20, 2025. Submissions and questions can be sent to the WPS general email: wps@ama-assn.org. Visit the WPS policymaking page for detailed instructions.
National observances
National Women Physicians Day
Happy belated National Women Physicians Day to all our WPS members! February 3 is National Women Physicians Day, which celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of women physicians, and honors the birthday of Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the U.S. in 1849.
This day also recognizes women trailblazers in the field of medicine and highlights the ongoing need for gender equity in health care and our medical profession. National Women Physicians Day also raises awareness of the challenges women physicians face, from balancing work and family to overcoming systemic biases. This day serves as both a tribute and a call for continued progress in health care diversity. The AMA commemorated National Women Physicians Day on its social media platforms:
Black History Month
February is Black History Month, dedicated to honoring the achievements, history and contributions of Black Americans. It originated in 1926 as a weeklong awareness week to recognize the significant impact of African Americans on society. It expanded to a month-long observance in 1976. Black History Month provides opportunity to reflect on the struggles, triumphs and ongoing efforts for equity for Black and African Americans, while encouraging broader recognition of Black culture and history year-round.
Black and African American physicians make up approximately 5-6% of the physician workforce. Black and African American women physicians represent less than 3% of all physicians in the U.S. with approximately 13-14% of the population identifying as Black or African American.
American Heart Month
American Heart Month is also observed every February, and this recognition raises awareness about heart disease and promoting heart health. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., and is often underrecognized in women. Heart disease risk for women also increases later in life, particularly after menopause. Our WPS co-sponsored an education session at I-24 with SPS on this topic: “The Connection Between Menopause, Cardiovascular Disease, and Health Disparities.” This month, make an extra effort to focus on “heart health” for your women patients, and for us as women physicians.
Contact and connect with the WPS
Keep in touch with us by joining the WPS GroupMe chat, or email us at wps@ama-assn.org, and keep focusing on the 3 Cs (collaborations, connections and community). Thank you to all our AMAzing WPS members!
