Women in Medicine: Building a Future of Empathy, Equity and Excellence

By Giana Davlantes, OMS II (right), and Shereen Aziz, OMS II (left), Association of Women Surgeons and American Medical Women’s Association chapters, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine

As part of Women in Medicine Month, we asked students, future doctors, medical educators and healthcare providers to reflect on a few short prompts. Their responses highlighted not only the progress women have made in medicine but also the work that remains to ensure equity, empathy and meaningful change in patient care.

One of the clearest themes was how the growing number of women in leadership roles has already reshaped the medical landscape. Several respondents noted that medicine is better now, simply because of the sheer numbers of women in higher positions. At the same time, they emphasized that representation alone is not enough. Professionalism: how colleagues, trainees and patients are treated must remain central. For the next generation of physicians, this means recognizing that respect and collaboration matter as much as clinical knowledge.

While progress has been made, equity in opportunity and recognition continues to be a priority. Respondents expressed hopes that female providers will be consistently sought after and given equal opportunities, with their skill and level of care valued without hesitation. This is not just a matter of workplace fairness, and it truly has direct consequences for patient outcomes. When all providers are empowered to excel, patients benefit from a greater range of perspectives and approaches. One provider shared with us the challenges of finding equality in terms of work life balance as a mother and how it can be difficult to manage a busy career and household duties regardless of how supportive their partner is because the roles are just different.

From the patient perspective, gender representation in medicine carries personal meaning. One woman shared that having a female or woman-identifying doctor almost always makes her feel more comfortable and understood. For many female patients, this sense of trust is not a given; it comes after generations of women having their symptoms minimized or dismissed. To be seen, heard and validated by one’s physician is itself a form of healing, and women providers often play a key role in creating that space of safety.

Another theme that emerged was the importance of balancing logic with empathy, especially in the context of mental health. Medicine is, by necessity, grounded in reasoning, calculations and precision. But mental health does not always follow neat, logical patterns. As one respondent explained, applying only logical frameworks can leave patients feeling unseen. They envisioned more emotional crisis training so that patients can be viewed not only as part of a job, but as human beings to be treated with empathy. This vision extends beyond gender: it is a call for all providers to recognize that healing often requires listening and connection, not just analysis.

Taken together, these reflections paint a picture of cautious optimism. Women have already transformed medicine through their presence and persistence, but the next steps are clear. The future depends on ensuring that female providers are recognized equally for their expertise and leadership, that female patients feel safe, validated and encouraged to seek care, and that mental health is approached with both scientific rigor and human compassion. The voices of students, trainees and providers alike remind us that the work of building a more equitable and empathetic medical community is ongoing. Women in medicine are not only shaping careers for themselves, but they are also shaping a culture of care that prioritizes both excellence and humanity to promote healing.