By Our Women Colleagues of Emory Radiology
March is Women's History Month, a time for highlighting and celebrating the achievements of women over the course of US history. Originally authorized by Congress as only a weeklong celebration in 1982, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to designate the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” According to Women'sHistoryMonth.gov, Congress passed additional resolutions between 1988 and 1994 authorizing the president to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month and since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations continuing the tradition.
Emory Radiology women share their stories and reflect on what this month means to them as well as who inspires them. They also explain why one month is not enough to recognize the power and progress of women and note how far we still have to go to achieve gender equity.
Emory Radiology women share their stories and reflect on what this month means to them as well as who inspires them. They also explain why one month is not enough to recognize the power and progress of women and note how far we still have to go to achieve gender equity.
Charnaye Bosley
Manager, Emory Saint Joseph's Breast Imaging Center and Workflow Specialists
Women’s History Month sheds light on many iconic women who have had a tremendous impact that continues into modern day society. One woman in particular who continues to influence my daily work is Henrietta Lacks. The HeLa cell line is one of the most important cell lines in medical research and particularly cancer care and ongoing research. Working in breast health for over 20 years, I am hungry for the cure for breast cancer which is one of the things that drives my curiosity and passion for my job, which I love. She reminds me that we impact individuals daily with the work we do.
Personally, I look for opportunities to encourage and promote personal and professional growth in young women and men by mentoring, leading by example, displaying humility, being victorious even when losing, and sharing my stories and the lessons I’ve learned about having a successful career as well as fulfilling personal relationships. For example, I was one of 10 women selected out of over 200 applicants for the Leveraging Internal Female Talent (LIFT) Program sponsored by CEO Action for Diversity & InclusionTM and I graduated with tools that help me function in all types of scenarios with professional stature and stamina. I also promote being respectfully unapologetic for things I believe and using my voice for change.
My siblings and I were raised by parents who taught us it is ok to come from humble beginnings and to be proud of who we are as individuals. We also had it instilled in us that it is most important to know where you come from, to treat others how you want to be treated and to make the most positive influence on someone’s day whenever possible (even if it’s just with a smile). We all carry positive words with us; it’s my job—our-job—to make sure our younger generation carries them as well.
Manager, Emory Saint Joseph's Breast Imaging Center and Workflow Specialists
Women’s History Month sheds light on many iconic women who have had a tremendous impact that continues into modern day society. One woman in particular who continues to influence my daily work is Henrietta Lacks. The HeLa cell line is one of the most important cell lines in medical research and particularly cancer care and ongoing research. Working in breast health for over 20 years, I am hungry for the cure for breast cancer which is one of the things that drives my curiosity and passion for my job, which I love. She reminds me that we impact individuals daily with the work we do.
Personally, I look for opportunities to encourage and promote personal and professional growth in young women and men by mentoring, leading by example, displaying humility, being victorious even when losing, and sharing my stories and the lessons I’ve learned about having a successful career as well as fulfilling personal relationships. For example, I was one of 10 women selected out of over 200 applicants for the Leveraging Internal Female Talent (LIFT) Program sponsored by CEO Action for Diversity & InclusionTM and I graduated with tools that help me function in all types of scenarios with professional stature and stamina. I also promote being respectfully unapologetic for things I believe and using my voice for change.
My siblings and I were raised by parents who taught us it is ok to come from humble beginnings and to be proud of who we are as individuals. We also had it instilled in us that it is most important to know where you come from, to treat others how you want to be treated and to make the most positive influence on someone’s day whenever possible (even if it’s just with a smile). We all carry positive words with us; it’s my job—our-job—to make sure our younger generation carries them as well.
Laura Benson
Director, Imaging Services, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
Women’s History Month is an important reminder that while women make up 50% of the world’s population, many women have not had and continue to not have access to the same education, wealth, and opportunities as men. It is a time to celebrate the successes that some women have had despite fighting against cultural norms of oppression. We do not know about all the women who have made history, because we have suppressed or allowed men to take credit for many of their accomplishments and the truth has been lost in history. This is especially true for women of color. Ultimately, I do believe Women’s History Month is important; it should be a time to celebrate and uplift women and recognize their resilience. I am proud and grateful for the strong women throughout history who fought to get us the opportunities we have today. I have hope that our strong woman leaders will continue to make progress towards equal rights and representation amount genders.
Atlanta is the capital of the South, and Emory is a long-standing institution, both in healthcare delivery and education. I think we could be doing more to recognize and repair the disparities in women’s health. We should lead the conversation and recognize the history behind the systemic oppression and denial of access to healthcare for black women that has led to the current disparities in mortality in childbirth and cancer diagnosis and treatment. In order to move forward, we should weave acknowledgement and progress into everything we do.
I try to educate myself to push back on the institutionalized racism and sexism that are inherent in our current patriarchal paradigm. My husband and I are raising three boys who are growing up as feminists, understanding that traditional gender roles are irrelevant and should not mold their experience or expectations. We teach them to acknowledge the historical and current oppression that they benefit from. In the past, I have volunteered with organizations like Dress for Success to help women improve resume writing and interview skills. Through Emory’s Emerging Leader program and my leadership position, I work to mentor and develop women at Emory Healthcare through empowering women to create space for themselves and understanding the importance of their voice by “sitting at the table” and accepting recognition. I also financially support black women activists who work in women’s health and police reform.
Director, Imaging Services, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
Women’s History Month is an important reminder that while women make up 50% of the world’s population, many women have not had and continue to not have access to the same education, wealth, and opportunities as men. It is a time to celebrate the successes that some women have had despite fighting against cultural norms of oppression. We do not know about all the women who have made history, because we have suppressed or allowed men to take credit for many of their accomplishments and the truth has been lost in history. This is especially true for women of color. Ultimately, I do believe Women’s History Month is important; it should be a time to celebrate and uplift women and recognize their resilience. I am proud and grateful for the strong women throughout history who fought to get us the opportunities we have today. I have hope that our strong woman leaders will continue to make progress towards equal rights and representation amount genders.
Atlanta is the capital of the South, and Emory is a long-standing institution, both in healthcare delivery and education. I think we could be doing more to recognize and repair the disparities in women’s health. We should lead the conversation and recognize the history behind the systemic oppression and denial of access to healthcare for black women that has led to the current disparities in mortality in childbirth and cancer diagnosis and treatment. In order to move forward, we should weave acknowledgement and progress into everything we do.
I try to educate myself to push back on the institutionalized racism and sexism that are inherent in our current patriarchal paradigm. My husband and I are raising three boys who are growing up as feminists, understanding that traditional gender roles are irrelevant and should not mold their experience or expectations. We teach them to acknowledge the historical and current oppression that they benefit from. In the past, I have volunteered with organizations like Dress for Success to help women improve resume writing and interview skills. Through Emory’s Emerging Leader program and my leadership position, I work to mentor and develop women at Emory Healthcare through empowering women to create space for themselves and understanding the importance of their voice by “sitting at the table” and accepting recognition. I also financially support black women activists who work in women’s health and police reform.
Charlotte Chung, MD
2020 – 2021 Chief Resident, Diagnostic Radiology
I am grateful for the opportunity to train at a place with many female radiologists and leaders as role models, and to be immersed in a culture of inclusion where I am not defined by my gender or race, but by my abilities. As I reflect on women pioneers in the past and present who have inspired me towards neurointerventional radiology, I also look forward to the day when all trailblazers, irrespective of gender, will be celebrated equally without the need for equity.
2020 – 2021 Chief Resident, Diagnostic Radiology
I am grateful for the opportunity to train at a place with many female radiologists and leaders as role models, and to be immersed in a culture of inclusion where I am not defined by my gender or race, but by my abilities. As I reflect on women pioneers in the past and present who have inspired me towards neurointerventional radiology, I also look forward to the day when all trailblazers, irrespective of gender, will be celebrated equally without the need for equity.
Erin Grady, MD
Associate Professor of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine
Celebrating Women shouldn’t be limited to just one month; we should celebrate every day. I celebrate the fact that I’m fortunate to work in a department and division (Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging) with so many talented women while nationally the number of women in radiology and nuclear medicine is particularly low. That’s why we work hard to recruit a diversity of trainees who would benefit from our program. Our challenge is getting more women into the specialty. I’m a big advocate for outreach: I enjoy participating in the Emory Radiology Medical Student Symposium, and at the national level, I’m involved through the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SMMI) in talking with medical students about nuclear medicine at the American Medical Student Association. This past year I also reached out to middle and high school students as part of Nuclear Science Week; we really had fun!
There are so many strong women to look up to. My mom is one of them. I remember my mom taking me to the library when I was a child and we’d pick out biographies of strong women. I read the biography of Elizabeth Blackwell in second grade and that’s when I decided to become a doctor. I read about Marie and Irene Curie and they inspired me to pursue nuclear medicine. Inspiration also came from learning about strong women in my home state of Wyoming. For example, Esther Hobart Morris became the nation’s first female judge in 1870 when she was appointed justice of the peace for South Pass City, Wyoming. And now we have Vice President Kamala Harris cracking the glass ceiling, which is really a beautiful thing.
Associate Professor of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine
Celebrating Women shouldn’t be limited to just one month; we should celebrate every day. I celebrate the fact that I’m fortunate to work in a department and division (Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging) with so many talented women while nationally the number of women in radiology and nuclear medicine is particularly low. That’s why we work hard to recruit a diversity of trainees who would benefit from our program. Our challenge is getting more women into the specialty. I’m a big advocate for outreach: I enjoy participating in the Emory Radiology Medical Student Symposium, and at the national level, I’m involved through the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SMMI) in talking with medical students about nuclear medicine at the American Medical Student Association. This past year I also reached out to middle and high school students as part of Nuclear Science Week; we really had fun!
There are so many strong women to look up to. My mom is one of them. I remember my mom taking me to the library when I was a child and we’d pick out biographies of strong women. I read the biography of Elizabeth Blackwell in second grade and that’s when I decided to become a doctor. I read about Marie and Irene Curie and they inspired me to pursue nuclear medicine. Inspiration also came from learning about strong women in my home state of Wyoming. For example, Esther Hobart Morris became the nation’s first female judge in 1870 when she was appointed justice of the peace for South Pass City, Wyoming. And now we have Vice President Kamala Harris cracking the glass ceiling, which is really a beautiful thing.
Ila Sethi, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine
I appreciate what Emory Radiology is doing on gender inequity. Quick fact check: the School of Medicine opened in 1850. It took ninety years for the school to enroll its first female medical student in 1943. We have come a long way, no doubt, and we’ve gained momentum, but we are not there yet. As a physician, I am proud to be part of an institution that provides equal opportunity strives for gender equity.
I matched with Emory Radiology for my residency in nuclear medicine in 2013 and I'm glad. I knew this was one of the best departments in the country. I’ve been here now for eight years and I’ve had wonderful opportunities because the department’s culture is pro-women and pro-equality.
I’m an immigrant from a society where gender equity wasn’t even considered. I’m fortunate that I was raised by parents who valued education and opportunity. They encouraged me to explore the world and see what was out there for me. I think awareness is key. My goal is to increase awareness about gender inequity in both compensation and opportunities in medicine. I give a lot of talks and lectures about this and believe if we educate our younger generations, they will not hesitate to ask for it, to push for equity.
On a personal front, I am raising a son in a household that does not differentiate gender roles. I am raising him to believe in gender equality and in his responsibility to challenge inequality wherever he sees it. I think about that seriously and it’s always on my mind. We can empower our daughters, but we also have to teach our sons that inequity exists and they have the power and the responsibility to change it.
I’ve been really fortunate to have worked with so many inspiring, amazing women who are passionate about their work. Every woman has some odd she’s fighting against so every woman has something inspiring in her story. My own mother was a real trailblazer in her own way. She is living unapologetically as a woman, even though messages about gender inequity is so deeply embedded in our culture, she really ahead of her time. She just doesn’t accept it. She’s always been different, always had a fire in her. I hope to be like her.
Assistant Professor of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine
I appreciate what Emory Radiology is doing on gender inequity. Quick fact check: the School of Medicine opened in 1850. It took ninety years for the school to enroll its first female medical student in 1943. We have come a long way, no doubt, and we’ve gained momentum, but we are not there yet. As a physician, I am proud to be part of an institution that provides equal opportunity strives for gender equity.
I matched with Emory Radiology for my residency in nuclear medicine in 2013 and I'm glad. I knew this was one of the best departments in the country. I’ve been here now for eight years and I’ve had wonderful opportunities because the department’s culture is pro-women and pro-equality.
I’m an immigrant from a society where gender equity wasn’t even considered. I’m fortunate that I was raised by parents who valued education and opportunity. They encouraged me to explore the world and see what was out there for me. I think awareness is key. My goal is to increase awareness about gender inequity in both compensation and opportunities in medicine. I give a lot of talks and lectures about this and believe if we educate our younger generations, they will not hesitate to ask for it, to push for equity.
On a personal front, I am raising a son in a household that does not differentiate gender roles. I am raising him to believe in gender equality and in his responsibility to challenge inequality wherever he sees it. I think about that seriously and it’s always on my mind. We can empower our daughters, but we also have to teach our sons that inequity exists and they have the power and the responsibility to change it.
I’ve been really fortunate to have worked with so many inspiring, amazing women who are passionate about their work. Every woman has some odd she’s fighting against so every woman has something inspiring in her story. My own mother was a real trailblazer in her own way. She is living unapologetically as a woman, even though messages about gender inequity is so deeply embedded in our culture, she really ahead of her time. She just doesn’t accept it. She’s always been different, always had a fire in her. I hope to be like her.
Smyrna Perez Tuburan, MD
Assistant Director of Radiology, Pediatric Imaging
Women’s History Month reminds me to reflect on how women collectively have shaped the universe’s history, where we are at present, and the work we must continue for the future.
Creating a space for all individuals to feel safe and secure is very important to me at and outside of work, particularly for women of color. In a way, it is paying it forward and mirroring colleagues who have supported, advocated, and promoted my journey. I personally think that showing honest vulnerability is a key part of creating that safe space, and, for me, that comes daily in acknowledging the challenges and joys of being a new mother whilst working as a full-time faculty radiologist.
Assistant Director of Radiology, Pediatric Imaging
Women’s History Month reminds me to reflect on how women collectively have shaped the universe’s history, where we are at present, and the work we must continue for the future.
Creating a space for all individuals to feel safe and secure is very important to me at and outside of work, particularly for women of color. In a way, it is paying it forward and mirroring colleagues who have supported, advocated, and promoted my journey. I personally think that showing honest vulnerability is a key part of creating that safe space, and, for me, that comes daily in acknowledging the challenges and joys of being a new mother whilst working as a full-time faculty radiologist.