46th ANNUAL MEETING

Women in Neuroanesthesiology and Neuroscience Education and Research (WINNER) Program

Deepak Sharma, MD, DM
Tasha Welch, MD

Deepak Sharma, MD, DM

Tasha Welch, MD

At the SNACC Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Dr. Deepak Sharma will introduce a new program, Women in Neuroanesthesiology and Neuroscience Education and Research (WINNER). This is an exciting new program highlighting the accomplishments of women in the fields of neuroanesthesiology and neuroscience. To familiarize SNACC members with the program, we interviewed Dr. Deepak Sharma to answer some questions that SNACC members may have regarding this new program. Consider checking out the program at the Annual Meeting.

Question: What is the WINNER program and what is its ultimate goal?
Answer: WINNER is a program started by SNACC to celebrate the accomplishments of exceptionally successful women in our field and to support early- and mid-career women in our specialty by providing mentorship and sponsorship. The mission of the WINNER program is two-fold: 1) to formally recognize the women members of SNACC who have contributed to the advancement of neuroanesthesiology and neuroscience not only through their direct contribution to education and research but also through successfully mentoring other physicians/scientists and 2) to create and implement strategies for developing future women leaders in neuroanesthesia. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide increased opportunities for mentorship/sponsorship for early- and  mid-career women to enhance their leadership potential.

Question: Why does SNACC need a WINNER program?
Answer: Every organization, at least in neuroscience and in anesthesiology, needs a program like WINNER. There is evidence demonstrating that, in general, women in anesthesiology have disproportionately fewer leadership roles in departments, professional societies and organizations compared to men, in spite of the fact that several women have made substantial contributions in advancing our field. A similar gender gap has been recognized in neurology, neurosurgery and other related specialties. The reasons are multifactorial, and a strategic approach for addressing the gender gap is needed. SNACC is committed to ensuring and promoting gender equality at all levels, hence it is important that we commit ourselves to dedicating focused effort in providing mentorship/sponsorship for early- and mid-career women in our specialty. While a few organizations have started similar initiatives, we identified a need for such a program in our specialty. Many women perceive a lack of access to successful role models mentors as a major barrier in career advancement, and previous research has demonstrated a preference for female mentors amongst female mentees. SNACC is very fortunate to have members who are successful women leaders with tremendous experience in mentoring, and who are willing to mentor more junior women. The WINNER program provides tools and networks for professional development amongst our female members as well as a platform for connecting mentees to mentors. Additionally, our program will involve advocating for resources and implementation of strategies to support female neuroscientists/neuroanesthesiologists in SNACC.

Question: What WINNER activities will be occurring during the 2018 Annual Meeting?
Answer: The 46th Annual SNACC meeting in San Francisco (October 11-12) will feature a WINNER symposium highlighting the scientific contribution of two leading women neuroscientists – Drs. Deb Culley and Kristen Engelhard. The WINNER program involves creating a “WINNER Academy of Mentors”. The mentors in this academy will be successful women in neuroanesthesiology/neuroscience education and/or research who are also experienced in mentoring and are willing to provide mentorship to women members of SNACC. During the symposium, we will also honor the inaugural WINNER mentors. Additionally, we will offer to connect every first-time female attendee at the Annual Meeting with a mentor. An award recognizing the best scientific abstract among first-time female poster presenters at the SNACC meeting will be presented. The award will include complimentary one-year SNACC membership and complimentary registration for the next SNACC meeting to present an abstract. There will be opportunity for all interested WINNERs to meet and network during the meeting, in parallel with the other special interest groups. 

Question: Is the WINNER mentorship program only open to women as mentors or mentees?
Answer: The primary focus of the WINNER program is to provide increased opportunities for mentorship/sponsorship for early- and mid-career women. Hence, it is open only to women as mentees, although in the near future, SNACC plans to create a mentorship program open to all. The WINNER Academy of mentors will be comprised only of women although we welcome mentors of both genders to help with the program.

Question: Who can someone contact if they are interested in being a mentor or mentee?
Answser: SNACC aims to proactively reach out to all women members to identify their mentoring needs. However, anyone who is looking for a mentor can directly approach Linda S. Aglio, MD, MS, the Chairperson for Diversity and Inclusion Committee who will connect him or her to mentors. Likewise, any SNACC member active in research and/or education in neuroanesthesia/neuroscience and experienced in mentoring may contact us anytime if they are interested in serving as mentors. However, induction to the ‘WINNER Academy of Mentors’ will occur only once annually when SNACC members will be invited to formally nominate highly accomplished women.

Question: What are the next steps after the fall meeting?
Answer: In addition to the various activities during the Annual Meeting, the primary activity after the meeting will be active communication/mentorship activities. In addition, there will be a regular WINNER segment in the SNACC Newsletter. The program will ensure appropriate representation of women as speakers/faculty at future Annual Meetings. 

Question: Is there a chance we will devalue womens’ achievements and contributions to SNACC by having a women only council and abstract award?
Answer: The name WINNER conveys positivity and value! In the ideal situation, there should not be a need for a special program to advance women. However, there is convincing evidence documenting the gender gap in anesthesiology. There is a broad consensus about the need to understand the special circumstances perceived by women as barriers in career growth and to provide them with more opportunities. In fact, recently a professional society called Women in Anesthesiology came into being demonstrating the need for dedicated efforts to support women. Other organizations such as the National Neurotrauma Society and the Neurocritical Care Society have also started programs to support female members. Moreover, the WINNER program was developed carefully with inputs and suggestions from the current women leaders in SNACC to ensure that projects womens’ achievements and contributions correctly. An article about the WINNER program was recently published in the ASA Monitor and received widespread positive feedback from all groups. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the WINNER program will devalue womens’ achievements and contributions. In fact, one of the main aspects of the mission of the WINNER program is to formally and visibly recognize the contributions of women leaders. SNACC has been very fortunate to have been led and served by exceptional women and we hope the WINNER program will further recognize the valuable role women play in our subspecialty.