By: Sara Hussey, MBA, CAE – ACMS Executive Director
On National Women Physicians Day (February 3), we’re taking a moment to recognize and celebrate the women who show up for patients, colleagues, families, and communities every single day.
At ACMS, we are fortunate to work alongside an incredible group of women physicians who lead with compassion, curiosity, and grit. Whether they’re caring for patients, mentoring the next generation, advocating for change, or stepping into leadership roles, women physicians continue to shape the future of medicine in meaningful ways.
This year, we’re especially proud to recognize Dr. Kirsten Lin as one of the many women who have served as President of the Allegheny County Medical Society. Dr. Lin’s leadership reflects the values that matter most to ACMS: patient-centered care, physician voice, innovation, and community. Her presidency is part of a broader legacy of women leaders who have helped move this organization forward and ensure that physicians are supported both professionally and personally.
We also want to acknowledge the work of the ACMS Women Physician’s Committee. This group has been instrumental in creating space for connection, conversation, and education around issues that directly impact women in medicine. From networking and mentorship to timely, relevant programming, the committee continues to build a community where women physicians feel seen and supported.
One recent example is the committee’s upcoming event on February 24, Perimenopause: What We Need to Know for Ourselves and Our Patients. This program reflects exactly why this committee matters. It centers real experiences, clinical knowledge, and honest conversation around a topic that affects many women physicians personally, while also informing the care we provide to patients.
While today is a celebration, it’s also important to acknowledge the reality many women physicians face. Research from the American Medical Association shows that women physicians experience higher rates of burnout than their male colleagues and consistently report lower satisfaction with work-life integration. In fact, women physicians have significantly lower odds of feeling satisfied with work-life balance not only compared to male physicians, but compared to other working professionals as well.
The same research points to contributing factors many women in medicine recognize all too well: more time spent with patients, more time on documentation, heavier administrative burdens, and higher rates of experiencing bias or inappropriate behavior from patients. These pressures add up and they matter [read the full report here].
That’s why ACMS continues to invest in our Physician Wellness Program. The program exists to support physicians as whole people, not just professionals. From confidential mental health resources to education, peer connection, and wellness focused programming, the goal is simple: to make sure physicians know they are not alone and that support is available when they need it.
At ACMS, supporting women physicians means more than recognition. It means listening, creating space, and continuing to build programs and leadership opportunities that reflect the realities of modern medical practice.
To the women physicians in Allegheny County and beyond, thank you. Thank you for your leadership, your expertise, your empathy, and your resilience. We are grateful for you today and every day.