The American Medical Association recognizes September as Women in Medicine Month, honoring the significant contributions of women to the field of health care. 

Throughout the month, the Department of Medicine will feature Q&As with a handful of our own women physicians across a variety of specialties and at different stages in their careers.

Sarah Donohue, MD, is an assistant professor in the Division of Rheumatology, as well as a former DOM internal medicine resident, chief resident, and rheumatology fellow. Her professional interests include reproductive health in rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions, medical education and gender disparities in medical training.

How has being a woman shaped your career in medicine? 

Often for women in medicine doors are not created nor do they magically appear. We work tirelessly to open doors and create paths for ourselves that might not have existed without our determination and fearlessness. 

As I witness gender disparity occur on a regular basis in medicine, it drives me to work harder and ensure that women in medicine are at each and every table where important decisions are being made.

Who have been your greatest personal and/or professional mentors as women in medicine, and why? 

Dr. Christie Bartels has been a mentor to me since my third year of medical school. When I envision the physician I want to be, I envision Dr. Bartels. She is a true triple threat and everything she touches turns into gold. 

Dr. Jessica Tischendorf has been a coach, sponsor, mentor and friend since residency. She inspires me every day with her unwavering interest in gender disparities research and I hope to model my career and journey of motherhood after her incredible success. 

My exceptional co-chiefs Drs. Katie Fell (now Cardiology faculty, University of Michigan), Victoria Gillet (now Primary Care Track Program Director, Aurora Health Care), and Lauren Banaszak (now Hematology/Oncology faculty, Memorial Sloane Kettering) are my constant source of inspiration and career guidance. I am the leader I am because of them. 

You and your colleague, Dr. Dana Ley, established the Women in Leadership and Development (WILD) certificate program for Department of Medicine (DOM) fellows in 2021. Why? How do you think it’s been successful? 

The idea came to us following a DOM Grand Rounds given by Dr. Amy Oxentenko of Mayo Clinic in which she reflected on her personal experience as a gastroenterology fellow, early faculty and now vice dean of practice. She was named the 2020 Woman Disruptor of the Year and we wanted to follow suit! 

The WILD program has been incredibly successful. We have graduated over 25 fellows from the DOM and Department of Pediatrics in our certificate program and created new avenues for leadership opportunities among the DOM fellows. Our workshops on contract negotiation, career pathways, financial power and shaping leadership identity have been rated highly. Check out our book club!

Finally, a shout out to the Fellows as Medical Educators (FAME) program and its brilliant female leadership team of Dr. Christine Sharkey, Dr. Elizabeth Chapman, Dr. Jessica Tischendorf and Kara Westmas!

Read Dr. Ley's perspective here.

Responses have been lightly edited for length.

Photo credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine.