Carrie Cowardin, PhD (left) and Lindsay Somerville, MD
Recently, two UVA School of Medicine faculty members participated in the AAMC Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar: Carrie Cowardin, PhD, is an assistant professor of pediatrics and Lindsay Somerville, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine. Both were awarded the inaugural Committee on Women in Medicine and Science (COWIMS) Leadership Development Travel Award to support their attendance at this important seminar that provides women at the assistant professor level with foundational leadership knowledge and skills that will enable them to achieve their career goals, advance, and thrive as a successful leader in academic medicine and science. COWIMS is glad to be able to support these two faculty members on their career path.
When reflecting on the seminar experience, Dr. Cowardin shared “Particularly coming from a research background, the AAMC conference was a transformative opportunity for me to focus on developing leadership skills. Through participation in this meeting, I was able to further shape and articulate my own personal values, and reflect on how I can apply them in service to the UVA community. The conference also connected me to a broader network of women in academic medicine who shared courageous stories, support, advice and inspiration. My participation changed how I think about leadership, and helped me develop invaluable connections, confidence and skills that will shape my career moving forward.”
When reflecting on the seminar experience, Dr. Somerville shared, “Attending the AAMC Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar was a career-shifting experience for me, both as a physician scientist and as a woman in academic medicine. The seminar not only offered invaluable tools in leadership, especially in navigating the unique challenges of gender dynamics in the academic medicine realm, but also provided the platform to forge lifelong friendships and professional connections. The strategies, insights, and relationships I’ve cultivated have changed my career trajectory as a future leader in medicine. This conference was a pivotal step in that journey.”
Dr. Cowardin also received support from the Department of Pediatrics to attend the seminar. James Nataro, MD, a professor and chair of pediatrics shared, “Dr. Cowardin is an exceptionally talented researcher, who also possesses exceptional innate leadership talent. With mentorship, training and experience, I am confident she will emerge as a leader in our institution. I look forward to watching her trajectory!”
Dr. Somerville received support from the Department of Medicine and the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care to attend the seminar. Mitchell Rosner, MD, a professor and chair of medicine said, “I am so proud of Dr. Somerville’s achievements and I am thrilled that she participated in the AAMC’s Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar. This program will provide a strong foundation for her growth as a leader and for promotion of her career as a clinical investigator. It is a tangible way that we can help support our faculty and especially women at UVA.”
COWIMS plans to continue to award Leadership Development Travel Awards to support assistant professor faculty members to attend the AAMC Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar and associate professor faculty members to attend the AAMC Mid-Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar. Contact Kate McManus, MD, the chair of COWIMS, with questions about these seminars or the travel award.
Filed Under: Faculty