A Novel Approach to Mentorship in Pediatric Cardiology: A Group for Women

Kristin Laraja; Laura Mansfield; Kristin Lombardi; Sara Ford; Lindsey Simoncini; Tiffany Moore Simas

doi:10.1007/s00246-024-03576-9

A Novel Approach to Mentorship in Pediatric Cardiology: A Group for Women

Pediatr Cardiol. 2024 Jul 14. doi: 10.1007/s00246-024-03576-9. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Kristin Laraja¹, Laura Mansfield^{2

3

4}, Kristin Lombardi⁵, Sara Ford⁵, Lindsey Simoncini¹, Tiffany Moore Simas⁶

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
² Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
³ Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
⁴ Department of Cardiology, Atrius Health, Boston, MA, USA.
⁵ Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
⁶ Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.

PMID: 39003654
DOI: 10.1007/s00246-024-03576-9

Abstract

Gender disparities for female physicians in academic medicine are longstanding. Female pediatric cardiologists experience inequities in scholarship opportunities, promotion, leadership positions, and compensation. Mentorship groups have been successfully implemented in other subspecialities with promising results. We created a peer mentorship group for female pediatric cardiologists in the Northeast and completed a needs assessment survey of eligible participants. Our goal was to better understand the current challenges and identify resources to overcome these barriers. Our objectives were to (1) describe the creation of a novel mentorship program for female pediatric cardiologists and trainees in the Northeast United States, and (2) report the results of a formal needs assessment survey of all eligible participants. All female pediatric cardiology fellows and practicing pediatric and adult congenital heart disease specialists from 15 academic centers in New England were invited to join a free group with virtual meetings. A formal needs assessment survey was provided electronically to all eligible members. The vast majority of respondents agreed that the Women in Pediatric Cardiology (WIPC) group is a valuable networking and mentorship experience (90%) and would recommend this group to a colleague (95%). Members have witnessed or experienced inequities in a broad range of settings. Common challenges experienced by respondents include dependent care demands, lack of mentorship, inadequate research support, and inequitable clinical responsibilities. Resources suggested to overcome these barriers include mentorship, sponsorship, transparency in compensation, and physician coaching. Mentorship groups have the potential to address many challenges faced by women in medicine. The WIPC Northeast program provides a forum for community, collaboration, education, and scholarship.

Keywords: Gender inequity; Mentorship; Pediatric cardiology; Women in medicine.