Women in medicine break stereotypes
The Women in Medicine Club is picking up pace and anyone is invited, said Dru Murray, sophomore in biology and club president.
Well, almost anyone. Women in Medicine is a club for any woman who is interested in pursuing a career in a medical field, Murray said. The career goal could range from obstetrics and gynecology to sports therapy, she said.
“We’re just trying to let people know that we are here now and we’re going to be having activities,” Murray said.
The goals of the group are to provide networking amongst students and support for women in a field that isn’t traditional for females, said Brooke Deem, sophomore in biology and club vice president.
Sherry Baker, senior in public health education, said the club is aimed toward women because of the different experience they have in the field of medicine than their male counterparts.
Murray said women going into medical careers aren’t always accepted in today’s society. There are some stereotypes about it, she said.
“It’s just the Utah culture – women are supposed to stay at home,” Murray said.
While there is a stereotype, the generalization isn’t as bad as it used to be and it has become more of an underlying effect, Murray said.
They held a club meeting and opening social to get to know the members Wednesday night, the first activity held this year, Murray said. There were 12 women who came to eat pizza, share ideas for the club and get to know each other. Members even discussed classes such as organic chemistry and whether or not it was better than biochemistry.
“Everyone thinks that the club is dead,” Murray said. “We can’t have activities when we don’t have girls coming.”
There are a lot of female professionals in the medical fields who would be excited about speaking and helping the women at Utah State, but without members in the club, it would purposeless to invite them, Deem said. Homework help and tips from women who have already taken certain classes is one of the main goals, she said.
“Support. We are here to offer support,” Deem said.
The speakers could offer advice not only about the professions, but also how they balance their different life responsibilities, Murray said.
“I want to know how they balanced medical school and family,” Murray said.
In order to advertise the group, signs have been put up, e-mails been sent out and there have been announcements in science classes, Murray said. The presidency changed with this semester and there has been a push for new activities and a fresh look, Murray said.
For more information about the club and membership, contact Murray at d.murray@aggiemail.usu.edu.
–seth.bracken@aggiemail.usu.edu