From Challenges to Triumphs: Celebrating Women in Medicine

By Meghan Murphy, OMS IV, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine

As a fourth-year medical student at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM), Women in Medicine Month represents a time of reflection, celebration and empowerment. This month allows for reflection on the progress women have made in healthcare, serving as an opportunity to embrace who we are; not just as women, but as individuals who have worked tirelessly to reach this very moment. The path to becoming a physician is never easy, and the unique sacrifices women often make in pursuing a career in medicine deserve to be celebrated.

This past year, on my third-year clinical rotations, I encountered various day-to-day challenges that highlighted the duality of being a woman in medicine. In particular, on my orthopedic surgery rotation, I observed male students who were often chosen over their female peers to assist with physically demanding tasks; not because of their knowledge, but because they appeared more "capable" of handling them. Similarly, there were moments when I felt sidelined, simply because I wasn’t perceived as strong enough to handle the physical demands. These moments served as subtle reminders of an ingrained bias—that physical strength correlates with medical competence, even when the task had little to do with actual physical ability.

On that same orthopedic rotation though, my feelings of discouragement were challenged when I worked with a female surgeon who seemed to defy all stereotypes. She was petite, yet handled some of the most physically taxing surgeries with remarkable skill and confidence. She often invited me to assist, and together, we managed surgeries without needing help from male staff. Her pride in what we accomplished as a team of women left a lasting impact on my view of gender roles in medicine. This month encourages us to celebrate victories like this, while reminding us of the work we must continue in breaking the barriers that still exist.

More specifically, within the osteopathic medical education community, the emphasis on holistic care aligns with promoting gender equality. Osteopathic medicine focuses on treating the whole person, as patient care does not exist in isolation. Similarly, supporting women in medicine requires a thorough understanding of well-being, including the physical, emotional and social factors. The osteopathic medical community, with its commitment to these core values, stands strong in advancing opportunities for all students, regardless of gender. Within my own community at ICOM, I have been fortunate to witness firsthand a culture of empowerment and equity. This type of environment, where osteopathic medicine’s commitment to gender equality thrives, has largely shaped my journey in becoming the individual I am today, and the physician I will become. I am proud to be part of a community where every student is given the tools and opportunities to succeed, reflecting the broader osteopathic belief that gender should not limit one’s potential.

Initially intending to pursue a surgical career, the experiences throughout my journey in medicine have instead led me down the path toward pediatrics. While my decision to switch specialties wasn’t directly influenced by the challenges of being a female physician, it became clear that my true calling was within pediatrics, driven largely by the infinite opportunities for demonstrating empathy, resilience and strength, as the ability to utilize these qualities each day in building long-term relationships with children and their families became an aspect of medicine I realized I was not willing to give up. I believe these are qualities which define my strength as a woman in medicine, and I am confident they will continue guiding me as a female osteopathic physician throughout the entirety of my career.

As we reflect, celebrate and empower one another this month, we must also acknowledge the challenges we face as women in medicine; these obstacles stand not as roadblocks, but as opportunities for growth. As we honor the women who have paved the way for us, we are reminded of their contributions, which represent a testament to their resilience, strength and innovation. Together, we must strive to build a future where every physician is able to thrive regardless of gender; where compassion, skill and leadership define our measure of success; where we advocate for an equitable future in medicine; where all individuals can thrive—whether that’s in orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, osteopathic or allopathic medicine. This is the legacy we carry forward for generations to come.