Diagnostic Radiology

Diagnostic Radiology

Gender Equity in Academic Radiology (GEAR), School of Medicine

The mission of the Gender Equity in Academic Radiology (GEAR) group is to advance goals of gender equity across Radiology, providing solidarity, camaraderie, and mentorship to women and gender diverse residents, fellows, and faculty and their allies within the Department of Radiology.  GEAR programs are designed to enhance and support professional development and collaboration as well as broaden knowledge on how to achieve gender equity at all levels. Additionally, this group provides outreach to medical students in order to promote and increase consideration of radiology as a prospective specialty choice by women and gender diverse individuals, as well as engaging with the larger community on efforts to achieve gender equity goals.

Background and identifying the problem

Gender disparity has been and continues to be an issue in numerous specialties in medicine, but particularly within radiology. At present, less than 25% of all diagnostic radiologists in the United States are women. Additionally, less than 30% of current radiology trainees are women despite the fact that nearly half of matriculating medical students are female. Consequently, it is clear that the problem of gender disparity will not imminently or spontaneously resolve.

Within the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology at OHSU, our goal is to eliminate gender disparities such that females and gender diverse individuals at any level have opportunities equal to that of their male colleagues, have the voice and ability to speak up about inequalities, and the ability to advance their careers and assume leadership positions without bias.

OHSU Radiology regards the matter of inequality seriously. Within the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, as of 2022, 46% of the faculty are women, which spans all ranks from assistant professor to full professor and including vice chair leadership roles. Five of the seven imaging section chiefs are women (71%).  Fourteen of thirty-three (43%) of the diagnostic and interventional radiology residents are women, with representation throughout all post-graduate levels.

Infograph of female to male ratios in OHSU Radiology

Members and leadership

Formally established in 2020, GEAR is comprised of residents, fellows, and faculty within the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology at Oregon Health & Science University and is inclusive of our non-physician radiology partners within the department, including research, nursing, administration and technological groups.  In the spirit of inclusivity, this group is open to everyone regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, or any other personal identifying factor. Radiologists throughout the Portland metropolitan region are welcome to join larger events, such as those with national speakers.

Chair,  GEAR

Book Club Coordinator, GEAR

Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Radiology

Co-Founder and Diversity and Inclusion Liaison, GEAR

Chair, Radiology Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology

Member-at-Large, GEAR

Assistant Professor of Imaging Physics

Program Director, Diagnostic Imaging Physics Residency

Speaker Event Coordinator, GEAR

Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology

Section Chief of Body Imaging

Charity Event Coordinator, GEAR

Vice Chair, Diagnostic Radiology Faculty Development

Professor of Diagnostic Radiology

Founder, Past-Chair, and Current VA liaison, GEAR

Our vision and upcoming events

The GEAR group hosts an event every other month (minimum of 6 events per year) typically during the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December.  Each event has a different purpose while maintaining the same underlying goals of our mission.

Examples of annual events include:

  • An invited speaker on a topic relevant to Women in Radiology
  • A charity event in a social setting, benefitting a program for women in the community
  • Medical student outreach event to rectify the gender disparity in radiology
  • Informal social event (e.g. hiking, beach, bowling) for development of camaraderie
  • Formal social event (e.g. dinner) to celebrate our accomplishments
  • Holiday event

Examples of more frequent events:

  • Book club
  • Community outreach (including talks and events at local schools on the topics of radiology, medicine, and STEM)

Radiologists throughout the Portland metropolitan region will be invited to some of the formal and educational events.

Past events

Diagnostic Radiology Women in Radiology Faculty Dinner 2016. Radiology female Faculty enjoying dinner together on an outside resturantpatio.
Diagnostic Radiology women faculty dinner in 2016.
3 pictures. Top picture is group of Women standing on a deck posing for the camera, middle picture is of gift bags, bottom picture is a wide shot of women socializing in someone's home.
“Bags, Bubbles, and Bagels” Charity Event. Bags containing personal hygiene supplies were created by diagnostic radiology staff and residents and were donated to a Domestic Violence Shelter for Women, March 2017. Hosted by Roya Sohaey, M.D.
Leadership Skills for Women in Healthcare Conference, Boston, MA, November 2019. 5 female faculty radiologists attended. Left to right is Dr. Alice Fung, Dr. Cristina Fuss, Dr. Elena Korngold, Dr. Chara Rydzak, and Dr. Nadine Mallak.
2019 Leadership Skills for Women in Healthcare Conference held in Boston, MA. 5 female faculty radiologists attended.
Diagnostic Radiology Women in Radiology summer social event in 2019. "Tapas by the Tram" they enjoyed food and drinks at ChaChaCha waterfront.
Summer social event in 2019 was "Tapas by the Tram". We enjoyed food, drinks and camaraderie outside at ChaChaCha waterfront.
Diagnostic Radiology Women in Radiology Group picture gathered at someone's house.
December of 2019 holiday gathering and 1st annual cookie exchange. Chara Rydzak, M.D., Ph.D. graciously hosted our faculty, fellows and residents.
Group picture of 10 Diagnostic Radiology Women in Radiology in front of a large tree at Blue Lake Park Aug 2020. We had our first in person event for Women in Radiology in August, which was was a Book Club Social held at Blue Lake Park. The book was Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.
First post-COVID in person event, which was a Book Club Social (Dare to Lead by Brene Brown) held at Blue Lake Park, August 2020.
Diagnostic Radiology Women in Radiology event Sept 2020: First Speaker Event featuring our own Elena Korngold, MD speaking about Promotion and Tenure.
First Speaker Event featuring our own Elena Korngold, MD speaking about Promotion and Tenure. Hosted by Anu Brixey, MD.
Diagnostic Radiology Women in Radiology: 2nd Annual and 1st Virtual Holiday Gathering.
2nd Annual and 1st Virtual Holiday Drinks & Cookie Exchange. Organized by Chara Rydzak, MD, PhD and Sandra Schmahmann, MD.
Group of 11 women pictured from Diagnostic Radiology, Women in Radiology event 05/20/2021
Movie Night featuring "Picture a Scientist" followed by lively discussion. Hosted by Anu Brixey, MD.
Diagnostic Radiology Women in Radiology Sept 2021 get together- group of women in a party setting sitting on a deck looking at the camera
End of the summer pool party, hosted by Dr. Brooke Beckett.
Women gather around a festive table in a dining room. December 2021 holiday gathering with 2nd annual cookie exchange, hosted Dr. Sandra Schmahmann.
December 2021 holiday gathering with 2nd annual cookie exchange, hosted Dr. Sandra Schmahmann.
Group of women sit around a living room for Faculty & Trainee Development Program lecture entitled: "Negotiation: How to get what you want, when you want it" by Dr. Stephanie Dukhovny (maternal-fetal medicine and ob/gyn, and member of Gender Equity in Academic Health & Medicine committee), hosted by Dr. Roya Sohaey.
Faculty & Trainee Development Program lecture entitled: "Negotiation: How to get what you want, when you want it" by Dr. Stephanie Dukhovny (maternal-fetal medicine and ob/gyn, and member of Gender Equity in Academic Health & Medicine committee), hosted by Dr. Roya Sohaey.
group of Women gathered in a living room looking at the camera
Faculty & Trainee Development Program lecture on Mentorship by Dr. Mary Tanski (Chair of Emergency Medicine), hosted by Dr. Elena Korngold
Group of women siting around a large rectangular table at a nice warm looking conference space.
Women, Wine, and Wealth event, a workshop on finances and saving hosted by Jacque Denson, CFP, held at Erath Winery Tasting room.
Gender Equity in Academic Radiology members gather around picnic tables and smile for the camera.
Successful GEAR & Wellness sponsored Welcome Event for OHSU Radiology Faculty in September 2022.

More resources

The American Association for Women in Radiology (AAWR) is an organization founded in 1981 to provide a forum for discussion on a national level. The mission of the AAWR is to sponsor programs that promote opportunities for women, facilitate networking amongst members and other professionals, and provides mentorship opportunities for the next generation of women radiologists. Many articles have been published adressing the ineqauities of women in radiology. We recommend these two articles "A Mentorship and Networking Group for Women in Radiology" published by JACR in 2017 and "Women in Radiology Leadership" published by Applied Radiology in January 2020.

The OHSU’s Women’s Imaging Section and the OHSU Breast Center actively participate in community outreach, particularly in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This involves community lectures, booths to disseminate information, and participation in the Susan G. Komen run.

Woman in Spotlight

The Woman in Spotlight is a quarterly publication featuring one woman faculty member and one woman trainee (resident/fellow) in the Department of Radiology.  This series is meant to highlight our accomplished women as well as to allow the department to get to know some details about our fabulous women on both a personal and professional level.  Our current Women in Spotlight are featured below.  Please click the link to access prior Woman in Spotlight articles.

Summer 2021: Roya Sohaey, MD and Molly Downey, MD

Fall 2021: Sandra Schmahmann, MD and Segolene Weller, MD

Winter 2022: Alice Fung, MD and Molly Wingfield, MD

Spring 2022: Petra Vajtai, M.D. and Chenara Johnson, M.D., Ph.D.     Spring Bonus: Anu Brixey, M.D. and Rin Panick, M.D.