BookNancy D. Spector, Jennifer K. O'Toole, Barbara Overholser, editors.
Summary: Women comprise the majority of pediatricians in the United States and yet there has been slow progress in leadership diversity and equity in the field overall. While there have been many academic journal articles that examine women's roles, challenges and successes in the field, there is not one, overarching book that follows the path of women into the profession, the challenges they encountered in the early years -- and still encounter - the successes they've had, and what the future might look like. This book fills that gap in medical literature. Because women are so well-represented in the field, one would think that pediatrics should be leading the way in gender equity achievements, but this is not the case. This text examines the disparities, the boundaries that are in place, the impact of intersectionality on equity, the toll gender discrimination has on the health and wellness of women in pediatrics, and best practices that can help achieve gender equity in the field. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the disparities that women, and in particular women with intersectionality, face. This book also examines the immediate impact of the pandemic on women in pediatrics, what future implications may be, and how we can potentially mitigate them. Equity strategies that can be implemented by healthcare institutions, professional societies and other medical organizations are also discussed. The book is divided into three main sections. The first section gives an overview of the history of women in pediatrics by describing stories of early leaders and the early days of women in pediatrics. The second section reviews the current state of affairs in women in pediatrics. Chapters in this section detail women entering and practicing in pediatrics; leadership; women of color; women conducting research; national campaigns and efforts focused on gender equity; and childbearing, adoption, motherhood and eldercare by women in pediatrics. The final section describes the future of women in pediatrics. The seven chapters in this section discuss leaders in pediatrics supporting women; policies and programs to advance equity; allies in gender equity efforts; research, funding and publication for women; networking, mentorship, sponsorship, coaching, and career development activities; advocacy efforts; and supporting the health and wellbeing of women in pediatrics. Written by experts in the field, Women in Pediatrics is a valuable resource for all pediatricians in academic or community-based medicine, as well as those involved in pediatric sub-specialties. On a broader level, this text is also of interest to all other women involved in medicine and science.
Contents:
Section I:Where We Started – History of Women in Pediatrics
Stories of Early Leaders/Early Days of Women in Pediatrics
Section 2:Current State of Affairs
Women Entering Pediatrics
Women Practicing in Pediatrics
Leadership in Pediatrics
Women of Color in Pediatrics
National Campaigns and Organizations Focused on Gender Equity in Pediatrics
Childbearing, Adoption, Motherhood, and Eldercare by Women in Pediatrics
Section 3: Where Do We Go from Here: Achieving Equity and Advancement for Women in the Future
How Leaders in Pediatrics can Support Women
A Step-wise Approach to Equity: Implementing Effective Policies and Programs
Allies in Gender Equity Efforts
Research, Funding, and Publication for Women in Pediatrics
Networking, Mentorship, Sponsorship, Coaching, and Career Development Activities to Support Women in Pediatrics
Advocacy Efforts in Pediatrics
Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Women in Pediatrics
Conclusion.