The Department of Radiology had a strong presence at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health’s (SMPH) Chapter of the Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS) symposium this past November, with Jessica Robbins, MD and Elizabeth Burnside, MD receiving awards and Pallavi Tiwari, PhD serving on a panel.
Dr. Robbins accepted the Excellence in Mentorship Award during the symposium. As our department’s vice chair for faculty development and enrichment, she advocates passionately for the professional development and well-being of radiologists. She leads mentorship activities, encourages career planning and advancement, and champions diversity and inclusion. For over a decade, Dr. Robbins served as the associate director for the Diagnostic Radiology Residency program, and she has contributed to mentorship of faculty across the SMPH through her involvement with the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development. On a national scale, Dr. Robbins mentors future and early-career radiologists through organizations across the United States and has served in leadership roles for many of these groups.
Dr. Burnside received the Advancing Women in Medicine and Science Award due to her long history of mentoring clinician-scientists and trainees from translational disciplines. In addition, her role as both the executive co-director of the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research and as associate dean for team science and interdisciplinary research directly supports this invaluable work. She leads a new professional development pathway program designed to support investigators from historically underrepresented backgrounds as they advance clinical and translational research, and is the contact principal investigator of the NIH-supported UW Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) Program. Dr. Burnside has made great contributions to the larger mission of the university and her specialty through leadership in national organizations.
In addition to the honors awarded, Dr. Tiwari, an associate professor in radiology and biomedical engineering, participated in the symposium’s panel and served as a member of the steering committee for GWIMS. Reflecting on her career and the importance of mentorship, Dr. Tiwari shared “A blessing for me is the outstanding mentors I’ve had in my life, I don’t think I would be where I am today without my mentors.” She also noted “At every stage in your career, you need mentorship in some capacity to help you out both in your professional and personal life.”
The Department of Radiology is committed to a culture of inclusion and encourages its members to pursue leadership and career development opportunities. Dr. Robbins, Dr. Burnside, and Dr. Tiwari emulate these ideals and lead the way for women in medicine and science not only at our institution, but nationwide.
View a full list of the GWIMS symposium awards and recipients by downloading the Quarterly issue from the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association website.