Celebrate Women 10 stories about women in medicine: National Women Physicians Day, Feb. 3. Read The DO’s most inspiring stories about the strides female doctors are making in medicine. Jan. 30, 2018Tuesday The DO Staff Contact The DO Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics women in medicine This week we celebrate National Women Physicians Day! The third annual day of recognition on Feb. 3 was founded by emergency medicine physician Hala Sabry, DO, in 2016. It commemorates the birthday of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first American woman to obtain a medical degree. To celebrate the struggles women have overcome in medicine and the journey forward, The DO rounded up 10 of our favorite stories about women in medicine. 1. Empowering women one patient at a time, the osteopathic way Shayna Mancuso, DO, is an advocate in action for women’s health and healing from the inside out. 2. Let’s narrow the pay gap: Female doctors may have better patient outcomes Studies find that patients treated by women doctors may have better outcomes, yet female physicians are still getting paid less. 3. Q&A: The DO who founded National Women Physicians Day Meet the woman who started it all. Hala Sabry, DO, explains why she feels it’s important to celebrate women in medicine. 4. New PBS documentary covers women in osteopathic medicine The PBS documentary, “The Feminine Touch: Women in Osteopathic Medicine,” tells the story of women who rose above inequality to become DOs at the beginning of osteopathic medicine and the women today who continue the legacy. The film also won a regional Emmy award. 5. Academic medicine: This DO found her calling in the classroom Stacey Pierce-Talsma, DO, is changing the practice of medicine one student at a time. Barbara Ross-Lee, DO 6. ‘Courageous impact’: Barbara Ross-Lee, DO, trailblazer for women and minorities, retires The DO talks with the first African-American woman to be named dean of a U.S. medical school about her impact on the osteopathic profession. Caroline Kabel-Kotler, DO (middle right in pink), enjoys a vacation with her family. 7. Maneuvering motherhood and medicine: DOs share advice Two DO moms share the rules they live by: Practices they say have made balancing motherhood and medicine less stressful. 8. Kentucky DO delays giving birth to help distressed patient When another expectant mom needed help, Amanda Hess, DO, pivoted from patient to doctor in seconds. 9. In Anchorage, DO dedicates career to Alaska Native health Ellen Provost, DO, uses epidemiology and biostatistics to improve public health in the Alaska Native people. 10. Motherhood and medicine: DO’s group for doctor moms has 65,000 members Hala Sabry, DO, created the group as an effort to ease the pressure many women face to choose between being a mom and being a doctor. More in Lifestyle The best holiday gifts for DOs and osteopathic medical students in 2025 Peruse great gifts for DOs and students, from a quality water bottle and book light to a personal memoir kit, a doctor’s bag and more. Applications now open for the AOA’s 2026 Leadership Academy The AOA’s Leadership Academy provides an opportunity to gain leadership skills in preparation for future roles within the osteopathic medical profession. Previous article5 tips for landing your first job after residency Next articleAOA President Mark A. Baker, DO, responds to Larry Nassar case
The best holiday gifts for DOs and osteopathic medical students in 2025 Peruse great gifts for DOs and students, from a quality water bottle and book light to a personal memoir kit, a doctor’s bag and more.
Applications now open for the AOA’s 2026 Leadership Academy The AOA’s Leadership Academy provides an opportunity to gain leadership skills in preparation for future roles within the osteopathic medical profession.