Women make up only 13% of currently practicing cardiologists, and these already low numbers decrease dramatically when considering those in leadership positions in both academic and clinical settings. Meaningful progress towards gender parity in cardiovascular leadership must include financial support. Our awards and grants are designed to provide this support to high-potential women cardiologists at all levels and to fortify the pipeline of women leaders in medicine.
Our Awards are an annual recognition of highly qualified women cardiologists who are taking action to improve patient care in their specialty. These awards offer targeted funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. By providing support and visibility to talented women cardiologists, we hope to develop a more equitable healthcare workforce.
Since the program began in 2020, Women As One has distributed over $1.7 million in medical funding grants to high-potential women cardiologists.
This award category focuses on mentorship, which is consistently identified as a key factor in career success for women cardiologists.
The program developed mentorship pairings with a unique global focus, joining an experienced mentor physician with a mentee who is currently in fellowship training. These cross-institutional pairs are working together to advance the field of cardiology and the specific goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Each award has been sponsored by a partner organization in a particular area of clinical interest.
This prestigious award aims to support and promote high-potential women physicians with growing interest and experience in clinical trials. They enhance the visibility of women in clinical trial leadership and create professional connections that foster future success.
Our Awards are uniquely targeted at identifying and proactively resourcing a select group of high-potential women physicians. Through the awards, we advance more women in their careers and ultimately into leadership positions, effectively breaking the cycle of underrepresentation for future generations.
Since their creation in 2020, there have been different award categories, which are detailed below.
Mentorship Award
This award, also called the Mentor-Match Award, pairs two applicants, a current Fellow and a physician with at least ten years of experience, who work together to complete a project. Mentors receive $20,000, and Mentees receive $7,000 toward completing their project.
Research Scholars Award
This award aims to support and promote high-potential women physicians with growing interest and experience in clinical trials. Run in partnership with the Global CVCT Forum, winners are invited to attend the CVCT Forum and feature prominently in the faculty and make connections with world-leading trialists.
Inaugural Award
International high-potential women interventional cardiologists accessed clinical and leadership skills training, research support, speaking opportunities and financial investment to support their growth. These awards were granted in 2020.
Research Award
A financial award was granted to women physicians to support the completion of their research projects. Research award projects must benefit the population of an underserved community. These awards were granted between 2021-2023.
Kickstarter Award
This award was open to women physicians practicing in nations with transitional or developing economies to support their work. These awards were granted between 2022-2023.
Winners benefit from meeting renowned expert physicians and clinical researchers. Award recipients can form new connections during these meetings and receive valuable project feedback and suggestions and career advice. Furthermore, our support of award winners does not end with the award cycle. We are committed to amplifying the work of our Award recipients throughout their careers.
Applicants are reviewed by a committee of experts determined by Women As One. The committee will choose a short list of finalists who may participate in video interviews before the award winners are selected.
No, in order to create new connections through the Awards, we pair Mentor and Mentee applicants from complimentary subspecialties.
Each Award typically has a specific clinical focus and is therefore open to physicians within specific subspecialties. These specialties will vary by year but are typically within cardiology and related subspecialties. Mentees should be current Fellows, and mentors should have over ten years of practical experience.