For two decades, the Committee on Women in Medicine and Science (COWIMS) has been on a mission — to promote and enable the representation, development, and contributions of all individuals.
UVA School of Medicine launched COWIMS 20 years ago in 2004, when the Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development was established in the School of Medicine’s Dean’s Office. COWIMS has been managed by the Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development ever since, aligning with Association of American Medical Colleges’ women-focused groups.
Kathleen McManus, MD, chair of COWIMS
“We’re fortunate previous COWIMS leaders established a strong foundation and a thorough strategic plan,” says COWIMS Chair Kathleen McManus, MD. “Along with the great COWIMS Steering Committee members, I’m focusing on enacting the strategic plan and increasing the footprint of COWIMS on Grounds.”
Dr. McManus is a physician-scientist, advancing evidence-based health policy for HIV care and prevention, and serves as medical director of the UVA Health Ryan White HIV Clinic. She’s also an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health. She has been COWIMS chair since 2022.
How to Become Involved
Currently, COWIMS is composed of 25 Steering Committee members, including UVA School of Medicine faculty, students, and team members, but anyone can sign up to receive information about COWIMS’ events and opportunities.
For faculty, staff, trainees, or students interested in joining the COWIMS Steering Committee, applications will be accepted this spring, with new members anticipated to be added in July 2024. Within the steering committee, there are subcommittees focused on advocacy, awards and professional development, data analytics, programming/events, and media.
100 Years of Women in Medicine and Science at UVA Celebration
On April 25, COWIMS is partnering with the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center to honor “100 Years of Women in Medicine and Science at UVA.”
“This is going to be a great opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first woman graduate of the UVA School of Medicine and the recent achievement of having more than 100 women at the rank of full professor at UVA School of Medicine,” Dr. McManus touts. “We’ll reflect on how far the school has come in advancing gender equity and what COWIMS wants to achieve next.”
For information about this event or COWIMS, contact Ashley Ayers. Follow COWIMS on Facebook, Instagram, and X.