On Feb. 26, 60 female ISMA physicians and medical students from across the state came together at the renowned Bottleworks Hotel in Indianapolis to connect and hear from nationally recognized speakers at the 2024 Women in Medicine Retreat. 

The retreat, which boasted a record turnout, brought members together to explore important topics in an environment that allowed for an open discussion. This year’s featured a diverse group of attendees, including 16 medical students and four former ISMA presidents.

This year’s theme was “Contracts, Noncompetes, MedMal, Oh My: Medicolegal 101,” focusing on the emotional trauma of litigation and adverse patient outcomes. 

Speakers Stacia Dearmin, MD, and Wendy Ledesma, MD, headlined the weekend, discussing their experiences and expertise in navigating medical malpractice lawsuits personally and professionally. Suzanne Courtney, PsyD, a clinical psychologist from South Bend, also spoke, as did attorneys Mary Ruth Feldhake, JD, Amy Adolay, JD, and Stacy Cook, JD.

“Women physicians need this forum to connect with other women physicians, and they need a space where they can talk as much as they want,” WIM Chair Jane Bridges, MD, said. “This retreat helped all of us to reconnect, network and build new friendships.”

The WIM Committee was established in 2009 and codified into the Bylaws in 2010 with the mission to increase membership and participation of female medical students, residents, fellows and physicians in the ISMA, and to provide a forum for mentoring, leadership development, and collegiality among Indiana women in medicine.

Dr. Bridges was named the WIM chair following the 174th ISMA Annual Convention. Previously, Heidi M. Dunniway, MD, and Maria Del Rio Hoover, MD, who both attended the WIM Retreat, had co-chaired the committee for 14 years.

“My goal is to grow WIM within ISMA so all women physicians have the opportunity to benefit from the educational activities, but also reconnect with fellow women physicians throughout the state,” Dr. Bridges said.

WIM has multiple virtual discussion forums planned for the rest of the year, with most sessions offering CME. Regional chapter meetings are also being organized.