WiSE Medical Component

• Medical Component Mission
• Contact WiSE Medical
• Join the WiSE Medical Listserv

WiSE Medical at a Glance

The medical field is a field that is constantly evolving. It is fueled, if not characterized by change, that is, advances in medical technology, new perspectives in patient care and experimentation. In tandem to these changes has been the evolution of the role that women play in the medical field. Through their contributions women have established themselves as prominent physicians, administrators and scientists. In the process women have achieved prominence in medical field, but this success even in 2008 isn’t widespread. In academic medicine, women are less represented and often occupy lower level positions. Additionally, the problem of under representation transcends gender for minorities who are scant in numbers in the medical field. These disparities can’t be attributed to a lack of skill or motivation, but rather a lack of exposure.

Brown University's Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) and the Division of Biology and Medicine is currently working to change the way in which the medical field is perceived by undergraduates. The program aims to increase knowledge about the multitude of career possibilities that exist in clinical sciences, medicine and public health and introduce women and minorities to the many merits of academic medicine. The program was designed to expose the physicians, administrators and scientists of tomorrow to the wealth of fields that exist in the medical field through interactions with the outstanding leaders in medicine of the present.

This initiative’s primary target is the body of pre-health students at Brown University. This large and growing group comprises nearly 20% of the Brown undergraduate population. The secondary target populations are physicians, medical faculty and graduate students. The students will make visits to the hospital, in which they are introduced to a career in the medical field by hospital personnel. The manner of presentation can range from the observation of a procedure to overlooking research and will vary depending upon what approach best represents the career. Hospital visits will be supplemented by a smorgasbord of panels, speakers and events prepared by WiSE. This program will be rooted in first hand observation and exploration, dramatically changing the way in which career opportunities are delivered to undergraduates. The dual outcomes being the empowerment of women and minorities in academic medicine, clinical sciences and public health and the development of a link between Brown undergraduates and the medical personnel of the Providence community.