Women Who Lead: An Interview with Dr. Ana G. Múnera

Welcome to Women Who Lead, a series highlighting inspiring women leaders in cardiology who are shaping the future of cardiovascular medicine. In this edition, we feature Dr. Ana G. Munera, President of the Inter-American Society of Cardiology (SIAC). With more than 20 years of expertise in cardiovascular disease and pregnancy, she has advanced women’s heart health through her leadership, founding the society’s Cardio-Obstetrics Working Group and leading the #MomsHeart / #CorazóndeMamá campaign to raise global awareness and improve outcomes for pregnant women.

What first drew you to cardiology, and what personal or professional experiences most shaped your leadership journey?

I have aspired to be a doctor since I was a child, with my interest in studying the heart sparked by a history of early cardiovascular disease in my family.

One of my earliest memories of innate leadership occurred around age 7 or 8, when I convinced many of my classmates to spend time in the library preparing for exams and doing homework instead of playing.

However, what had the most significant influence on my leadership was my mentor, Dr. Gustavo Restrepo Molina, the former President of the Colombian Society of Cardiology and SIAC. I learned a great deal by observing his work, including how he crafted lectures and conducted research. Every interaction and collaboration taught me valuable lessons: his prudence, good judgment, education, empathy, common sense, respect, and the power of both his words and his silence.

Can you describe a defining moment when your leadership made a meaningful difference for a patient, colleague, or institution?

In 2006, I began working at a public hospital in Medellín as a clinical cardiologist, echocardiographer, and professor for postgraduate cardiology.

The 500-bed hospital, with limited resources, handled 4,000–6,000 births annually, acting as a referral center for high-risk pregnancies. This brought immense challenges as I spent long nights studying and caring for high-risk mothers with cardiovascular disease in a fledgling cardiology department.

During my tenure, I developed and implemented protocols, guidelines, and databases, subsequently publishing my findings. Our work gained recognition not only in the city and country but also internationally, welcoming international students into a high-risk maternal-fetal medicine postgraduate program. It was here that I found myself and my life’s mission.

It is crucial to focus on female medical students, helping prevent the loss of potential female leaders during their training and encouraging them to remain in cardiology.

What are the most persistent challenges facing women cardiologists in your country or region today?

The biggest challenge is balancing family and professional life. Most married male cardiologists have stay-at-home spouses, whereas most married female cardiologists are married to a physician.

So, where does the conflict arise? The issue often starts at home. Not to suggest that the spouse is the problem; rather, it lies in the choice we make regarding our life partners. We need a supportive partner who takes pride in our achievements and helps with household chores and childcare.

What leadership pathways are there for women cardiologists in your region, and where are opportunities still lacking?

SIAC’s Emerging Leaders Program includes not only fellows but also medical students, and we emphasize the importance of 1:1 mentoring. Each emerging leader is “adopted” by an experienced cardiologist who provides guidance and support.

In medical schools, there are currently more women than men. However, in the fields of cardiology and its subspecialties, men outnumber women. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on female medical students, helping prevent the loss of potential female leaders during their training and encouraging them to remain in cardiology.

How is women’s leadership in healthcare viewed in your region, and what progress or resistance have you seen?

In Latin America, there has been significant progress in women’s leadership within the field of cardiology. For instance, the Argentine Society of Cardiology appointed its first female president in 1992. Many Central American countries, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Mexico, among others, have also seen women serve as presidents of their respective societies. A notable example is the Dominican Republic, where the last three presidents have been women. However, it is important to note that there are still some countries in Latin America where only men have held the position of president.

What role do institutions and male colleagues need to play to truly accelerate gender equity in cardiology?

Institutions must promote and implement clear, objective, and decisive actions to ensure equity. This includes fairness in job opportunities, salaries, and the creation of healthy work environments.

It is essential to establish a clear pathway for addressing harassment or mistreatment of women and to stress the importance of reporting it. We must work to eradicate indifference in these matters.

We must view our male colleagues as essential partners and strategic allies in our work. However, I want to address something I have observed: the issue does not solely lie with our male colleagues. At times, women don’t provide opportunities for each other. We need to improve in this area. If we unite and support one another, we can achieve much more.

Keep your mind and eyes open; opportunities may be rare, so don’t let any slip by.

In your view, what is the most urgent unmet need for women in cardiology today?

With an increasing number of women doctors, as well as the majority of nurses, secretaries, and administrative staff being women, the provision of childcare in hospitals could have a great impact. It would enable breastfeeding within the hospital, a significant improvement on my experience of expressing milk in hospital bathrooms to then reheat later.

What advice would you offer to early-career women cardiologists who want to lead, but may be unsure how to start?

Never doubt yourself or your potential.
Prepare thoroughly and study hard.
Take decisive steps toward your goals.
Keep your mind and eyes open; opportunities may be rare, so don’t let any slip by.
Enjoy the journey along the way.

Women like Dr. Ana G. Múnera exemplify the vital role of leadership in advancing gender equality in healthcare and improving outcomes for women with cardiovascular disease. Supporting women in cardiology is essential not only for fairness but for better science and patient care. The Women Who Lead series aims to uplift talented women in cardiology, raising their international profile and inspiring the next generation of women in cardiology. Join the Talent Directory today and join the community.

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