Women in Focus at ECR 2019
Women in Focus was a brand new initiative at the 2019 European Congress of Radiology (ECR). The event consisted of a series of special, non-scientific sessions dedicated to women working in healthcare. Organised by Prof. Hedvig Hricak, the programme included a diverse array of inspiring speakers from across the world and from a variety of healthcare industries. These speakers shared their views on a range of topics related to gender and healthcare, tackling issues such as female leadership, mentoring, the generational progression of women in medicine, and work in challenging environments.
Intended to be educational as well as inspiring, Women in Focus explored and celebrated the crucial role that women play in healthcare, whilst offering advice and insights to those wishing to advance their caregiving skills and careers within this sector. Through an interactive session style, including live audience polling and panel discussions, attendees were encouraged to share their own views on a variety of important issues. As the programme was intended to be relevant and interesting to everyone, and not only to the radiological community, it was also open to the public.
The programme took place on Thursday, February 28 and Friday, March 1 in The Church, located near the Austria Center Vienna. The first sessions on each day were followed by a networking coffee break in the basement lounge area of The Church with complimentary refreshments and accompanying live music.
Interview with Hedvig Hricak
Women in Focus Highlights
Women in Focus Speakers
The Women in Focus programme at ECR 2019 featured a diverse array of accomplished speakers from a range of academic and professional backgrounds. Below, you will find a gallery of these speakers, with a piece of wisdom from each one.
Leading by Example
Prof. Hedvig Hricak
Leadership is a choice – the decision is yours
Ms. Cally Palmer
Leadership should always be about the team and not individual players
Ms. Catherine Estrampes
Daring and caring can go together
Prof. Deniz Akata
Be trusted not feared
Prof. Michael Fuchsjäger
Set your priorities and always remember to be there for your loved ones
Prof. Lorenzo Derchi
Addressing the issue of gender disparity in radiology is good not only for radiologists. Diversity improves patients communication and decreases health disparity
Dr. Lilian Leong
Be passionate and resilient to lead and influence for a shared vision of the good
Changing the image of women in leadership
Prof. Rahel A. Kubik-Huch
You can’t have it all – it is all about the right choices
Prof. Valérie Vilgrain
Show your talents and find your balance
Dr. Christopher Hess
Gender diversity is not a metric, it is a tool for excellence
Dr. Elizabeth Morris
Differences in leadership are more generational than gender driven
Prof. Ulrike Attenberger
Believe in your skills - and convince your critics
Prof. Maximilian Reiser
Gender equality – it all begins at home
Women in challenging environments
Prof. Regina Beets-Tan
If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants
Dr. Liz O'Riordan
It’s the little things that matter
Prof. Şevkat Bahar Özvarış
Everyone in the world has the right to equality
Mrs. Elizabeth Balogun
Our gender, is not a choice, but therein lies our strength
Dr. Dina Husseiny Salama
Women are not inferior or superior to men - your achievements will tell
Leadership and mentorship
Prof. Dame Janet Husband
Reach for the sky
Dr. May Abdel-Wahab
Effective mentorship is one of the most important determinants of success
Prof. Gabriel Krestin
Mentorship is essential but it’s not gender specific
Dr. Geraldine McGinty
Nobody else owns your story
Dr. Valerie Jackson
In a lifetime, you will have many mentors for many reasons
Mrs. Charlotte Beardmore
Be bold and grasp the opportunities – push open the doors
Publications
Following the exciting insights and riveting debates that characterised Women in Focus, a number of publications and studies were published to further explore the themes featured in the programme. A list of these publications can be found below:
Safe spaces for women in challenging environments
Şevkat Bahar Özvarış, Hedvig Hricak
The Lancet Global Health (August, 2019)
