AMWA Interim Meeting Celebrates Women in Medicine Month

The 2014 AMWA Interim Meeting held last weekend in Fort Lauderdale was a resounding success. Nearly 100 members came from all over the country and enjoyed a weekend of collaboration to further AMWA’s mission and vision. The reception celebrating women in medicine month was held at the elegant Alpine Jaguar Showroom. Featured speakers were the following Outstanding Leadership Award Recipients:

Ana Viamonte Ros, MD, MPH, is Associate Dean for Women in Medicine and Science at the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and Director of Medical Staff Development at Baptist Health South Florida. She was Florida’s first State Surgeon General and the first woman and Cuban American to serve as head of the Florida department of Health from 2007-2011. Charged by Florida’s Governor, she acted as the state’s leading advocate for wellness and disease awareness and action on women’s health issues. Dr. Viamonte Ros earned her MD from the University of Miami School of Medicine (1983) and her MPH degree from the Harvard School of Public Health (2005). She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gareth Green Award for Excellence in Public Health, and has written several articles concerning HIV care, nursing, mental health and radiology. She has received honorary doctorate degrees from Nova Southeastern University and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Humayun J. Chaudhry, DO, MS, MACP, FACOI, FAODME is President and CEO of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), which represents the nation’s state medical licensing boards and co-manages the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). Dr. Chaudhry graduated from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM, 1991) and has Master's degrees from NYU and the Harvard School of Public Health. From 2001-2007, he was Chairman of the Department of Medicine and Assistant Dean at NYITCOM. Prior to joining FSMB, he was Commissioner of Health for Suffolk County, NY, leading the 9th largest health department in the US. Dr. Chaudhry also served in the Air Force, rising to the rank of Major as a flight surgeon. He is a Master of the American College of (ACP), Past President of the American College of Osteopathic Internists, and co-author of Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine (2004) and Medical Licensing and Discipline in America (2012). He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.

Michelle L. Rossi, MD, FACP is the President & Governor of the Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP). Her term has focused on enhancing opportunities to empower trainees and early-career physicians. Her clinical interests include patient-centered medicine and high-value cost- conscious health care. Dr. Rossi graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where she studied philosophy and discovered an enriching avocation in theater, experiences which would later augment her effectiveness as a , educator and leader. After completing an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Florida, she joined the faculty and the affiliated Malcom Randall VA Medical Center. She also completed a Master Educator in Medical Education certificate program. Dr. Rossi has received many teaching and mentoring awards. The ACP named her one of the Top Hospitalists in 2011. A member of Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Honor Society, Dr. Rossi seeks to foster a love of learning and service in the next generation of healers. By challenging those around her to reach beyond themselves and redefine their potential, she believes that the landscape of medical practice, education and activism can be changed.

Eliza Lo Chin, MD, MPH is the Executive Director and a Past President of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA). She is a graduate of UC Berkeley, Harvard Medical School, and , Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Chin completed her residency in primary care at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and was on faculty at Columbia University for many years before relocating to California where she is now Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF. In 2002, she published the anthology, This Side of Doctoring: Reflections from Women in Medicine. She was a Visiting Scholar at the Women’s Leadership Institute at Mills College and was featured in the National Library of Medicine's Exhibition, Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America's Women Physicians. Dr. Chin is passionate about issues related to women in medicine and enjoys mentoring students and residents as they find their own career paths. In her spare time, she is an active volunteer with scouting and youth sports programs.

In addition, many AMWA Leaders including the Board of Directors were honored for their commitment to excellence.

Commitment to Excellence Award Recipients

Dr. Neelum Aggarwal Dr. Diana Galindo Dr. Tara Renna Dr. Heather Brown Dr. Roberta Gebhard Dr. Omega Logan Silva, MD Dr. Elinor Christiansen Dr. Suzanne Harrison Victoria Silverman Dr. Nancy Church Dr. Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber Dr. Chemen Tate Dr. Bea Desper Dr. Dyani Loo Dr. Eleni Tousimis Fatima Fahs Dr. Laura McCann Dr. Norma Jo Waxman Dr. Shahnaz Fatteh Dr. Connie Newman Jacqueline Wong Historic photos were shown from AMWA’s upcoming on-line exhibition -- Women Physicians in -- in recognition of the Centennial of the First World War, which began in 1914.

Kate Karpeles, MD Dr. Esther Pohl Lovejoy 1st Woman Contract Founding President MWIA Surgeon MWNA President 1932-33 AMWA President 1938-39

Rosalie Slaughter Morton, Campaign Photo MD MWNA President 1932- Chair, War Service 33 Committee American Women’s MWNA Hospitals

The Red Poppy was one of the first flowers to bloom in the battlefields of World War I and has become a symbol of remembrance for the War.

“We think…it is desirable for every woman physician to put herself on record as willing to serve her country at this time.” -- AMWA War Service Committee, Oct. 6,1917

The evening was filled with camaraderie, goodwill and fun for the many attendees who enjoyed driving the showroom cars. Please enjoy the photos below, courtesy of Mary Ellen Morrow Photography.

Jackie Wong (L), Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla (R), and Dr. Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla (L) with Rebekah Apple (R) who Gladys Silverman, winner of the "Jaguar for a Week" raffle led a fascinating session on Approaches to Leading Change prize

Keynote speaker Dr. Ana M. Viamonte Ros, Florida Past AMWA Student Leaders Surgeon General and award recipient

Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla Jaguar Showroom

Dr. Eliza Chin (R) with Zayn Holt (L) who presented Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla (R) with Amanda Xi (L), award "Women Physicians of World War I: A Centennial recipient and Centennial Program Co-Chair Commemoration"

AMWA 2014-2015 Board of Directors