Women in Radiology, School of Medicine

The mission of the Women in Radiology group is to provide solidarity, camaraderie, and mentorship to female residents, fellows, and faculty within the Department of Radiology through a series of events that enhance professional collaboration, personal support, and broaden knowledge on how to achieve success and overcome barriers. Additionally, this group provides outreach to medical students in order to promote and increase consideration of radiology as a prospective specialty choice by women, as well as outreach to females within the general community.

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 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 2020, 46% of the faculty are women, which span all ranks from assistant professor to full professor. Five of the seven imaging section chiefs are women (71%). Fifteen of the twenty-nine (52%) of the diagnostic and interventional radiology residents are women, with representation throughout all post-graduate levels.

Diagnostic Radiology Women in Radiology infogragh. In Radiology, Women represent 46% Faculty, 52% residents, 45% Physicists, 33% fellows and a handful of leadership positions.

Members and leadership

The Women in Radiology group is comprised of residents, fellows, and faculty within the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology at Oregon Health & Science University, and was formally established in 2020. 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 and Co-Founder, Women in Radiology

Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Radiology

Co-Founder and Diversity and Inclusion Liaison, Women in Radiology

Chair, Radiology Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology

Member-at-Large, Women in Radiology

Assistant Professor of Imaging Physics

Program Director, Diagnostic Imaging Physics Residency

Book Club Coordinator, Women in Radiology

Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Radiology

Speaker Event Coordinator, Women in Radiology

Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology

Section Chief of Body Imaging

Charity Event Coordinator, Women in Radiology

Vice Chair, Diagnostic Radiology Faculty Development

Professor of Diagnostic Radiology

Resident Liasion, Women in Radiology

Our vision and upcoming events

The Women in Radiology 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

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 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 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.

Diagnostic Radiology Women in Radiology charity event — “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.

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 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.

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 Faculty Dinner 2016. Radiology female Faculty enjoying dinner together on an outside resturantpatio. — Diagnostic Radiology women faculty dinner in 2016

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.