Reflections After ACC.23 From the Council of the Women in Cardiology

Graphical Abstract

Oliveros et al Reflections After ACC.23 From the Council of the WIC S E P T E M B E R 6 , 2 0 2 3 : 1 0 1 9 6 6 leadership positions, 1 the lesser compensation, 2 and underrepresentation in randomized trials. 3e benefits of having women researchers in original research within the cardiology field are endless.
Research studies conducted by women primary in- supports women of all ages, stages, and subspecialties.Fostering work-life integration as well as providing mentoring and networking opportunities while promoting personal well-being are essential.This year's sessions were heavily attended not only by the WIC section members but also by male allies, ACC leadership, and other section members.By sharing the key points of these sessions, we hope to help highlight the ACC's and ACC WIC's efforts toward equity in cardiology and serve as a resource for our members, medical societies, and institutions.

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specialties.Women authors of manuscripts studying these disparities presented their work and stimulated a lively discussion of where we are and what the future holds.Dr Defaria Yeh highlighted the sex differences in faculty rank among academic cardiologists in the United States; Dr Gulati offered data on gender differences in guideline authorships in the United States, Canada, and Europe; Dr Gibson offered solutions to end gender inequality in clinical trial leadership; and Dr Han discussed pathways to promote diversity and in inclusion in cardiovascular societies.An engaging discussion left the audience with some potential solutions as we look at the future.POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS.Deliberate sponsorship of women Intentional recruitment of WIC talent Engaging male allies Increasing efforts to empower WIC researchers with designated and paid time for research Offering support and resources Awarding grants to women These initiatives need broad, intentional, and collective efforts at institutional, individual, and organizational levels.INCREASE WIC IN RESEARCH CHAIRS: KRISTEN BROWN, MD, JENNIFER RYMER, MD.Panel and Speakers: Roxana Mehran, MD, Puja Mehta, MD, LaPrincess Cerise Brewer, MD, Tracy Wang, MD, Daniel R. Anderson, MD, Jennifer Rymer, MD.Research for academic advancement, personal satisfaction, and the science community's betterment remains outside easy reach for many WIC today.The reasons for this sex disparity have been proposed and investigated, including the underrepresentation of women in the field and the lower likelihood of women to gain

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FIGURE 1 Women in Cardiology: Issues to Ideas.
vestigators are more likely to include sex-based analyses.Models should be implemented to exemplify an accessible-distributed research team model to help increase women physician representation and improve the academic women cardiologists' landscape.Dr Mehran explained the landscape of WIC in research and her pathway to becoming a successful clinical trialist, Dr Mehta described how to launch a pathway in research at the training and early career stages, Dr Brewer shared how to become funded by creating community-based research and to find ways to diversify the teams, Dr Wang highlighted her experiences as a successful trialist, Dr Anderson explained how to be an ally, and Dr Rymer offered research resources available to WIC.HIGHLIGHTED SOLUTIONS.Building early mentorship programs for clinician scientists Incorporating basic, translational, communitybased, and clinical outcomes research into early education Sponsoring industry-supported research Creating courses and support for effective grant writing CONVERSATIONS AROUND PREGNANCY ISSUES CHAIRS: SARAH ROSANEL MD, ESTEFANIA OLIVEROS MD.Panel and Speakers: Jennifer Co-Vu, MD, Gina Lundberg, MD, Kamala P. Tamirisa, MD, Garima Sharma, MD, Toniya Singh, MD, L. Zahedi-Spung, MD.The decision by the Supreme Court in the case of Dobbs v Jackson and its impact on maternal health, including maternal and fetal cardiovascular health, was discussed.The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) condemned this ruling, and currently the treatment of patients is dependent on the state governments' rulings and terms.ACC also released a statement sharing similar sentiments with ACOG and that the College is deeply concerned about the potential implications of the Supreme Court decision regarding Roe v Wade on the ability of patients and clinicians to engage in shared discussions about maternal health, given the alarming maternal health crisis in the United States.This session included a talk by a well-recognized maternal and fetal medicine/ high-risk obstetric specialist, Dr Zahedi-Spung, who educated the audience about the legal influence on clinical practice patterns across academic and private practice entities.The cardiologists' professional role in the care of mothers and fetuses with heart disease, and how the legislation will affect our careers professionally, were addressed.KEY POINTS.Know your state laws Advocate for improvement in laws in states where there are bans Monitor morbidity and mortality boards Watch for impact on women at the greatest risk for complications resulting from social determinants of health such as low income and limited education FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES IN CARDIOLOGY CAREERS CHAIRS: GINA LUNDBERG, MD, TONIYA SINGH.P a n e l i s t s : M a r y N o r i n e W a l s h , M D , C l a i r e D u v e r n o y , M D , S h a r o n n e H a y e s , M D .A career is "an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life and with opportunities for progress.:Therefore, throughout an individual's life and career, many events, planned or unplanned, may occur that require flexibility, alterations, and changes from the system and the individual to accommodate a cardiologist's career.There may also be additional roles or responsibilities that the cardiologist decides to embark upon, creating the need to adjust workrelated duties or compensation models.The recent 2022 ACC Health Policy Statement on Career Flexibility in Cardiology provided the mainstem for the discussion. 4This statement is extensive and allencompassing, with issues including parental leave, medical leave, changes in career, activities outside career, aging, and retirement.This statement affects fellows, early career, mid-career, and advanced career physicians of both sexes and all areas of cardiology careers, from academic to private practice, research, and industry.KEY PURPOSES OF THE STATEMENT.All cardiologists would benefit from flexibility in work hours and responsibilities Help retain cardiologists who need time off temporarily and increase their longevity Provide flexibility to address the projected shortage of cardiologists FUTURE The ACC WIC Leadership Council objectives are to increase WIC in training, in the workforce, and in leadership while enhancing professionalism.WIC J A C C : C A S E R E P O R T S , V O L . 2 Reflections After ACC.23 From the Council of the WIC