women leaders

Celebrate Women’s History Month

/ , , , , , / , / 0 comments

March is Women’s History Month. Perfect timing to learn about some amazing women leaders in medicine and STEM.

 Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Physician Leaders.  In it,33  amazing women doctors who have achieved so much tell their personal stories including the obstacles and challenges faced in their careers. 



In Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM, 31 women who have defied the odds share their career journeys to become leaders in organizations like the National Science Foundation, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Academy of Science, Presidents of universities and more. The personal stories of these role models and mentors are so inspiring.

March is Women’s History Month

/ , , , , , / /

As many of you know, I have spent the past few years working on projects highlighting women leaders in science – in 2022 Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Physician Leaders was published.

/var/folders/1_/lftkq74n7cg9sxrz3xtqp7kh0000gn/T/com.microsoft.Word/WebArchiveCopyPasteTempFiles/4a361d83-0445-e38b-b902-47e4325176bf.jpg
The book profiles 33 amazing women doctors including Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha who blew the whistle on the Flint, Michigan water scandal, Dr. Laura Esserman who is a breast cancer surgeon championing a more personalized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and Dr. Kathleen Neuzil who leads the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine where among other accomplishments she helped to develop the Covid vaccine. 
 
In 2023 I completed a second book titled Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM. In it, 31 PhDs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics share their personal stories – the obstacles faced and their successes – how they beat the odds to become leaders in their disciplines and the lessons they learned along the way. 

In writing this book I was frankly a little surprised that so many women said their careers had been improbable. Several took a few detours before finding their passion and more than a few encountered stereotypes that discourage young girls from developing interests and skills in math and science- even in 2024. While each of the women profiled are unique, they all shared several qualities they felt were critical to their success including resilience, patience and perseverance. They all understand that scientific research is a marathon, not a sprint and that failure is a critical component of the learning process. All said that mentors and role models as well as a supportive life partner were critical to their success in both their professional and personal lives.

That said, let me highlight just a few of the amazing women:

Cecilia Aragon. At 5 foot 2, Cecilia is not only a celebrated computer scientist but also a champion aerobatic pilot. You’ll have to read how she overcame her fear of elevators!



Rita Colwell: Holding degrees in bacteriology snd genetics, Rita studies infectious disease and is known world wide for her cholera research. First female Director of the National Science Foundation, current President of the Rosalind Franklin Society, professor in the Institute of Advanced Computer Sciences at the University of Maryland, Rita’s personal story is filled with wonderful advice for anyone interested in science. Like Cecilia, Rita had a hobby- hers was boat racing.



Gilda Barabino is President of Olin College of Engineering as well as  President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (the world’s largest interdisciplinary scientific society). In these leadership roles, Gilda is recognized as a thought leader and highly sought after speaker both nationally and internationally. This year she was invited to the White House for the signing of the CHIPS ACT which will make the US independent of foreign chip makers.



Marcia McNutt: Geophysicist.  President of the National Aacdemy of Science is just one of her many leadership roles. As director of the US Geological Survey she responded to a number od disasters including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Besides her impressive scientific skills, Marcia is a barrel racer!



The women in this book are intentionally a diverse group – not only in terms of their particular areas of STEM, but also in their ethnicity, where they are in their career journeys, where they live and work.



I love this quote from American civil rights activist, Marion Wright Edelman: “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Every one of these women are visible role models and mentors. I know they will serve as inspirations to everyone including today’s youngsters who may still be hearing the myth that “girls aren’t good in math or science”.

Over 12 reviewers have raved about the book including Sheryl Sandberg of LeanIn fame, Carolyn Bertozzi, PhD who won the Nobel prize in chemistry, and Bonnie Garmus, author of the bestselling novel Lessons in Chemistry.

This year Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM won the President Award from the Florida Authors and Publisher Association.



SO TO HONOR THE WOMEN IN STEMM (medicine, science, technology, engineering and math), buy a copy of both books. They make great gifts for your children and grandchildren.  All royalties are going to programs supporting young girls (and boys) interested in careers in these fields. The hope is that the stories in both books will inspire young people to not only become STEMM scientists but leaders as well.

My 3 Favorite Books of 2023

/ , , , / , , /

I was asked to name my 3 favorite books of 2023.

Since I have been busy with the promotion of Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM, I chose 3 books that will help readers learn more about some of the amazing women scientists who need to be known: one is a fictional character – Elizabeth Zott- but the other two highlight real life Elizabeth Zotts who have managed to become leaders in their fields despite the obstacles they have had to face: the 16 women of MIT who challenged the system and Cecilia Aragon who is not only a computer scientist but a World Aerobatic Champion!.

I know you’ll enjoy all 3 books. Click here for the discussion.

Forbes reviews “Lessons Learned: Stories from Women in Medical Management”

/ , / , , , , , /

In 2012, Ann Marie Slaughter’s  piece in The Atlantic titled “Why Women Still Can’t Have it All”  instantly went viral with over 2 million online readers and got everybody talking. Last month was Women’s History Month celebrating the 50 year anniversary of Betty Friedan’s “Feminine Mystique” and the rolling out of Sheryl Sandberg’s new book urging women to “lean in”, along with the controversy over Marissa Mayer’s, CEO of Yahoo, memo about not allowing anymore telecommuting at her company.

All this has brought renewed attention to the issue of women as leaders- not only from mainstream media- but also on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.

In Deborah Shlian’s new book “Lessons Learned: Stories from Women in Medical Management” 24 exceptional women physicians who are leaders in healthcare share their personal stories including the obstacles they have faced in their career journeys including the challenge of balancing their work and personal lives.

Forbes has not only given the book a great review, but George Anders, the reviewer posted this on Facebook:

 “Here’s a book pairing that intrigues me. For a sense of what women can achieve at the very highest levels of business, and how to get there, there’s nothing likeSheryl Sandberg’s acclaimed new book, “Lean In.” For a grass-roots perspective of all the opportunities and juggling involved with those first few steps up the management ladder, try this intriguing new book about female doctors, edited by Deborah Shlian. I just finished it and give it a thumbs-up on Forbes.com .”
So here’s hoping you will take the reviewer’s suggestion and read both books!  Here’s a link to Amazon. “Lessons Learned” is available in print and as an eBook.