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Association of Academic Physiatrists Women's Task Force Report
Julie K Silver1, Sara J Cuccurullo, Anne Felicia Ambrose
1From the Harvard Medical School and Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, Association of Academic Physiatrists Women's Task Force Co-Chairperson, Boston, Massachusetts (JKS); JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Association of Academic Physiatrists Women's Task Force Co-Chairperson, Edison, New Jersey (SJC); Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, White Plains, New York (AFA, MO-P); Harvard Medical School and Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, Boston, Massachusetts (SB); McGovern Medical School at University of Texas Health Science Center, Shriners Hospital for Children in Houston, and TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas (GB); JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Edison, New Jersey (TKF); University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico (WRF); University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, California (DPK); University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (GS); Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York (CV); Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York (LW); and Association of Academic Physiatrists, Owing Mills, Maryland (TK).
Abstract:
The Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) convened a women's task force in 2016, and the members agreed on a list of metrics that would permit retrospective data review pertaining to the representation and inclusion of women physicians in the society. Examples of categories examined included leadership positions (i.e., board membership, board presidents, committee membership, committee chairs, and resident fellow physician chairs), conference presentations (i.e., annual meeting session proposals, annual meeting faculty, annual meeting plenary speakers), and recognition awards (i.e., recognition award nominations and recipients). The findings highlight areas in which the Association of Academic Physiatrists has been successful in supporting gender equity and other areas in which women physiatrists have been underrepresented. The task force worked with the Board of Trustees to construct an action plan, asking the respective committees to address areas of underrepresentation. A volunteer from each committee was deemed a "diversity steward" and going forward will work directly with the task force as a liaison to document an action plan and collect data. The board plans to transparently report progress to members and other stakeholders, and the task force aims to publish a follow-up report within the next 5 years.