As a woman in medicine or a mentor, Consider this Check List of What Women can do to Enhance Their Careers in Academic Medicine.

1.  Focus on the basics.

Pursue career milestones within the clinical, research and teaching missions that you and your Chair, Dean, and others identify as leading to advancement.

2.  Increase your visibility.

Serve on medical school, hospital and professional association committees and task forces that may lead to other opportunities, associations, and interactions.

3.  Learn about academic medicine.

Participate in faculty or leadership development programs and learn all you can about research administration and the business of practicing academic medicine. (Editors Note: You already are taking this step by using this MedCenterToday feature).

4.  Seek mentors.

Find positive role models that take an active interest in their professional life. (Editors Note: See the article on the Importance of Mentors to your Academic Career).

5.  Collaborate.

Whether through joint research, professional associations or administrative activities, invest in developing a professional network.