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.

GEAR graphic
In our department, we have in 3 of 7 women section chiefs, 2 of 5 women vice chairs, 1 of 2 women chief residents, and 1 of 1 woman resident director. We also have 44% women residents, 44% women faculty, 44% women fellows, and 63% women physicists.

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 identify as women. Consequently, it is clear that the problem of gender disparity will not imminently or spontaneously resolve. Intentional efforts must be made to change the status quo to improve gender equity in Radiology and medicine at large.

Within the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology at OHSU, our goal is to eliminate gender disparities such that those identifying as women and gender diverse individuals have opportunities equal to that of their male colleagues at any level, 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 2023, 44% of the faculty are women, which spans all ranks from assistant professor to full professor and including vice chair leadership roles. Three of the seven imaging section chiefs are women (42%). 14 of 32 (44%) of the diagnostic and interventional radiology residents are women, with representation throughout all post-graduate levels.

Upcoming Events

GEAR hosts multiple events throughout the year in collaboration with other DEI & Belonging efforts. Each event has a different purpose while maintaining the same underlying goals of our mission of Gender Equity.

American Heart Association Heart Walk | Tom McCall Waterfront Park | June 1, 2024
Join our team!

Stay tuned
"Pizza and Ponderings": GEAR book club - Late winter/early spring 2024
Educational speaker - Spring 2024

Past Events

Previous GEAR Events
American Heart Association Heart Walk | Tom McCall Waterfront Park | June 3, 2023
Birdie Time Mini Golf | 925 SW Main St, Portland, Oregon | August 4, 2023
Winter GEAR potluck & Welcome Party | Portland, Oregon | January 21, 2024
GEAHM Leadership Conference | Portland, Oregon | February 6, 2024

Additional examples of past 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
  • Book club
  • Community outreach (including talks and events at local schools on the topics of radiology, medicine, and STEM)
Diagnostic Radiology women faculty dinner in 2016
Diagnostic Radiology women faculty dinner in 2016.
Summer social event in 2019 was "Tapas by the Tram". We enjoyed food, drinks and camaraderie outside at ChaChaCha waterfront.
Summer social event in 2019 was "Tapas by the Tram". We enjoyed food, drinks and camaraderie outside at ChaChaCha waterfront.
First Speaker Event featuring our own Elena Korngold, MD speaking about Promotion and Tenure. Hosted by Anu Brixey, MD.
First speaker event featuring our own Elena Korngold, M.D. speaking about Promotion and Tenure. Hosted by Anu Brixey, M.D.
End of the summer pool party, hosted by Dr. Brooke Beckett.
End of the summer pool party, hosted by Dr. Brooke Beckett.
Faculty & Trainee Development Program lecture on Mentorship by Dr. Mary Tanski (Chair of Emergency Medicine), hosted by Dr. Elena Korngold
Faculty and Trainee Development Program lecture on Mentorship by Dr. Mary Tanski (Chair of Emergency Medicine), hosted by Dr. Elena Korngold.
birdie time pub
GEAR group event at Birdie Time Pub in August 2023.
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 that were created by diagnostic radiology staff and residents were donated to a Domestic Violence Shelter for Women, March 2017. Hosted by Roya Sohaey, M.D.
December of 2019 holiday gathering and 1st annual cookie exchange. Chara Rydzak, M.D., Ph.D. graciously hosted our faculty, fellows and residents.
December 2019 holiday gathering and first annual cookie exchange. Chara Rydzak, M.D., Ph.D. graciously hosted our faculty, fellows and residents.
2nd Annual and 1st Virtual Holiday Drinks & Cookie Exchange. Organized by Chara Rydzak, MD, PhD and Sandra Schmahmann, MD.
Second annual and first virtual Holiday Drinks and Cookie Exchange. Organized by Chara Rydzak, M.D., PhD and Sandra Schmahmann, M.D.
December 2021 holiday gathering with 2nd annual cookie exchange, hosted Dr. Sandra Schmahmann.
December 2021 holiday gathering with second annual cookie exchange, hosted Dr. Sandra Schmahmann.
Women, Wine, and Wealth event, a workshop on finances and saving hosted by Jacque Denson, CFP, held at Erath Winery Tasting room.
Women, Wine, and Wealth event, a workshop on finances and saving hosted by Jacque Denson, CFP, held at Erath Winery Tasting room.
birdie time pub
GEAR group event at Birdie Time Pub in August 2023.
2019 Leadership Skills for Women in Healthcare Conference held in Boston, MA. 5 female faculty radiologists attended.
2019 Leadership Skills for Women in Healthcare Conference held in Boston, MA. Five female faculty radiologists attended.
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.
First post-COVID in-person event: Book Club Social (Dare to Lead by Brene Brown) held at Blue Lake Park, August 2020.
Movie Night featuring "Picture a Scientist" followed by lively discussion. Hosted by Anu Brixey, MD.
Movie Night featuring "Picture a Scientist" followed by lively discussion. Hosted by Anu Brixey, M.D.
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 and 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.
Successful GEAR & Wellness sponsored Welcome Event for OHSU Radiology Faculty in September 2022.
Successful GEAR and Wellness sponsored Welcome Event for OHSU Radiology Faculty in September 2022.
GEAR Winter Party and Potluck
Winter GEAR Potluck & Welcome Party in January 2024. They had some amazingly tasty dishes and welcomed new members!

Resources and Community Engagement

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 provide mentorship opportunities for the next generation of women radiologists. Many articles have been published addressing the gender inequalities in radiology. We recommend these articles:

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.

OHSU Diagnostic Radiology participates in the American Heart Association Heart Walk annually. Heart disease and cardiovascular related issues are the leading cause of death for women in the United States and can affect women at any age. The CDC states“Over 60 million women (44%) in the United States are living with some form of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and can affect women at any age. In 2020, it was responsible for the deaths of 314,186 women—or about 1 in every 5 female deaths. Research has shown that only about half (56%) of US women recognize that heart disease is their number 1 killer."

Getting Involved

For more information and to get involved in the GEAR group, please contact Jaclyn Thiessen.

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. We also seek to collaborate with our multidisciplinary colleagues across the institution on gender equity issues.  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
  • Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine
  • Section Chief, Cardiothoracic Imaging
  • Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine
  • Associate Professor, Cardiothoracic Imaging
  • Fellowship Director, Emergency Imaging
  • Co-Founder, GEAR
  • Professor of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine
  • Professor, Body Imaging
  • Radiology Basic Science Representative, GEAR
  • Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine
  • Imaging Physicist, Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine
  • Assistant Program Director, Medical Physics Graduate Program, School of Medicine
  • Program Director, Diagnostic Imaging Physics Residency Program, Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine
  • Charity Event Coordinator, GEAR
  • Vice Chair, Diagnostic Radiology Faculty Development
  • Professor of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine
  • Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine
  • Director of Ultrasound, Diagnostic Radiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Professor, Women's Imaging
  • Senior Resident Representative