By Merin C. MacDonald | Date published: December 5, 2024

Gender Equity, Advancement, and Empowerment Committee Holds Kick-Off Event

On December 3, the Department of Medicine Gender Equity, Advancement, and Empowerment Committee (GEAEC) held a welcome event in the Albert Sherman Center Cube to introduce faculty to the mission and goals of the group and provide an opportunity for attendees to connect with their colleagues. Over 30 faculty of varying seniority attended from many divisions across the department.  

The committee, led by Christine Bielick Kotkowski, MD, assistant professor of medicine, chief of the Division of Medicine-Pediatrics, and chair of the GEAEC, and Deepika Devuni, MD, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and chair-elect of the GEAEC, was established this fall, with Tuesday’s event marking their official launch. “The energy in the room was great!” said Dr. Bielick Kotkowski. Dr. Devuni added, “The attendance at this event demonstrates everyone’s interest!”

About the Gender Equity, Advancement, and Empowerment Committee 

The Gender Equity, Advancement, and Empowerment Committee was created by women physicians spanning multiple divisions within the Department of Medicine with the goal of achieving gender equity through a multi-faceted approach. Their hope is to support professional development, career advancement, and mentorship at all career stages, promote well-being through work-life integration, and recognize outstanding achievements by women and gender-diverse physicians. They seek to enact meaningful change within the workplace to build an inclusive culture conducive to the equal advancement of future generations within the Department of Medicine. Members of the leadership committee include Drs. Christine Bielick Kotkowski, Deepika Devuni, Deborah Blazey-Martin, Suzanne Sprague, Elizabeth Murphy, Jennifer Reidy, Lauren Feld, and Jennifer Kodela.