A recent survey of women faculty in the School of Medicine finds that reports of gender discrimination, insensitivity and sexual harassment are down since 1994 and 1995, when similar surveys were taken. But the results also indicate more resources and greater flexibility are needed to boost the number of women faculty and to better support them. That’s particularly true for the women faculty who care for young children or aging parents.

"There are significant unmet needs for women that cross all faculty tracks," said Mary Lake Polan, MD, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of the Committee on Women in Medicine and Science, which sent an anonymous survey to all women medical faculty between November 2001 and January 2002. "Clearly women have more demands on their time. The question is, how can we better support women in their professional development."

A surprising finding, Polan said, was that 67 percent of the 163 respondents had children, with more than 60 percent of those children younger than 12. The survey which included a 50-item questionnaire was sent to 309 women medical faculty.

The Committee on Women in Medicine was convened last October by Philip Pizzo, MD, dean of the medical school, to examine how the school can "increase the representation of women in the professoriate and address (their) professional well-being."

Based on its survey, the committee prepared a report. The key recommendations: Women juggling academic and family responsibilities should have greater access to part-time appointments; flexible schedules; convenient affordable child care; mentoring and career-development programs; and short sabbaticals to focus on writing grants and papers.

Monday at noon, Pizzo convened a town-hall meeting to present the survey’s findings, seek input and voice commitment to women’s concerns. "This is a vital issue for the medical school," he said at the forum in Munzer Auditorium. "We must be more cognizant of those challenges that are faced by women more than men." After the report is presented to the Executive Committee next month, he said, a more detailed discussion can begin on specific actions.

Forum attendees spoke of the struggle to advance while raising a family. "If we leave at 5 to pick up our kids, we don’t want to be viewed negatively," said Susan Galel, MD, associate professor of pathology.