We understand that “gender equity” is not a “woman’s issue.” It affects everyone in our work environment, and all voices are necessary to achieve our goals. We understand that inclusive and equitable teams stimulate and propel our work in medicine and science and know that structural and cultural barriers exist that impede advancement based on gender. Through education, recognition of achievements, and advocacy, the Gender Equity Initiative seeks to foster a safe, equitable, and just work environment for the benefit of all community members.
Gender Equity Education Series
Explore the distinguished lectures given in our Gender Equity Education Series that engage in diverse topics to cultivate understanding, empowerment, and actionable steps towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable future in medicine.
Explore our Gender Equity Education Series videosGoals of the Gender Equity Initiative
- To promote equitable career advancement and professional development for women and non-binary faculty, staff and students
- To assure that women and non-binary people attain senior faculty, staff ranks and leadership roles at LCOM.
- To critically examine recruitment, retention and promotion of faculty and staff by gender
- To review LCOM policies and benefits that affect gender equity (such as family leave, flexible work schedules, onsite childcare) and makes recommendations to increase family friendly policies at LCOM
- To develop mentorship and networking opportunities for women and non-binary faculty, staff, and students
- To bring awareness of the importance of gender equity and gender-based biases to the LCOM community
- To assure that the LCOM environment is safe and free of gender harassment
- To recognize outstanding achievements of LCOM women and non-binary faculty, staff, and students
Gender Equity Awards
Every Women’s History Month (March), the College of Medicine holds the Gender Equity Awards to celebrate and honor individuals dedicated to advancing gender equality and excellence in medicine.
Explore the awards, past winners, and how to nominateSteering Committee and Working Groups
Steering Committee Members
The Gender Equity Steering Committee guides the mission and goals of the Gender Equity Initiative. It is comprised of LCOM community members representing career stages from across clinical and basic science departments. The committee is intentionally diverse with members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as gender identities and sexual orientation. Working groups of additional faculty and staff that coalesce around a selection of the above goals report to GESC on a monthly basis.
| Name | Title | Department | Working Group |
| Anne Dougherty, MD, Chair | Associate Professor, Director for Gender Equity | Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences | |
| Pam Gibson, MD | Professor | Pathology | Environment |
| Ramsey Herrington, MD | Chief, Emergency Medicine; Assistant Professor | Emergency Medicine | Recruitment |
| Sherrie Khadanga | Assistant Professor, Cardiology | Medicine | Recruitment |
| Bridget Marroquin | Associate Professor | Anesthesiology | Recruitment |
| Nathalie Feldman, MD | Associate Professor, Director of the Learning Environment | Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences | Environment |
| Katie Wells, MD | Assistant Professor | Emergency Medicine | Community Outreach and Collaboration |
| Joanna Conant, MD | Assistant Professor | Pathology | Education |
| Leigh Ann Holterman, PhD | Assistant Professor, Director, Students Wellbeing | Office of Medical Education | Education |
| James Stafford, PhD | Assistant Professor | Neurological Sciences | Environment |
Working Group Goals and Members
Recruitment, Retention, Promotion, and Leadership Tracking
- Collects and analyzes data on LCOM recruitment, retention and promotion (RPT) of women and gender minorities
- Studies best practices for RPT of women and gender minorities and proposes strategies to enhance RPT of target population.
- Works with administration to understand salary gender gap analysis
- Tracks leadership positions and committee membership with respect to gender equity.
- Studies best practices for increasing gender equity in leadership positions
- Members: Ramsey Herrington, Sherrie Khandanga, Bridget Marroquin
Education and Professional Development
- Organizes Gender Equity Education Series events throughout the year
- Organizes Women in Medicine and Science Networking lunches
- Monitors effectiveness of education events
- Members: Jo Conant, Leigh Ann Holterman, Eileen Cichoski-Kelly, Jennifer Hall, Molly Barry
Environment
- Reviews LCOM and UVM climate studies with respect to gender equity
- Examines the physical LCOM environment with respect to gender equity and provides recommendations to leadership
- Critically examines UVM gender harassment policy
- Reviews LCOM policies and benefits that affect gender equity (such as family leave, flexible work schedules, onsite childcare) and makes recommendations to increase family friendly policies at LCOM
- Members: Pam Gibson, Nathalie Feldman, James Stafford, Katie Devitt, Naomi Hodde
Community Outreach and Collaboration
- Monitors committee and award nomination opportunities for women and non-binary community members
- Formulates and juries annual “Celebration of Women in Medicine and Science” awards
- Works with Office of Communications to publicize gender equity events
- Seeks out opportunities to collaborate across LCOM and outside
- Gathers regional and national conference/workshop opportunities relevant to gender equity
- Members: Katie Wells
Women in Medicine and Science Peer Leadership Group
This group is an annual, 6-month series of peer-led workshops designed to help women and non-binary faculty at the UVM Larner College of Medicine find peer support, build leadership skills, and develop career plans.