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Go behind the scenes with Dr. Fernandez in this podcast and ASA Monitor article that describes her desire to “create a kind of professional advice column” for women anesthesiologists, which prompted this video series.
Learn more about the Women of Impact in Anesthesiology video series, developed and hosted by Dr. Allison Fernandez.
Monica developed her research focus on pediatric traumatic brain injury after beginning her career as a clinician educator and receiving mentorship and institutional support. She emphasizes aligning research with patient care, identifying knowledge gaps, and maintaining objectivity. Her mentors and sponsors have been instrumental in guiding her career and facilitating collaborative research opportunities.
To overcome imposter syndrome, it is essential to foster confidence, embrace belonging, and find meaning in one’s work. Physicians should build resilience by focusing on purposeful activities, avoiding sources of frustration, and maintaining balance between professional and personal roles. Promoting diversity of thought and developing quality improvement initiatives that advance equitable perioperative care are also key to sustaining fulfillment and reducing burnout.
Originally trained as a pediatrician, she transitioned to anesthesiology after her experience in trauma care, finding the shift to adult medicine challenging yet rewarding. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes self-awareness, effective communication, collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, and learning from both formal and informal leaders. She acknowledges the unique challenges women face in leadership, highlighting the importance of allyship, mentorship, and programs like ELAM in overcoming bias and fostering professional growth.
Dr. Aslakson shares her path to leadership, driven by the lack of women in such roles and her personal aspirations. To strengthen her qualifications, she became a mentor and sponsor. She highlights that unconscious bias poses challenges for women leaders.
Dr. Aslakson's research focuses on palliative care in the ICU and communication with patient families. Passion for your research question and perseverance are essential. Mentorship has been crucial to her career, and she attributes her long career to balancing clinical care, research, and administrative roles.
Dr. Gálvez Delgado speaks to the impact of the LGBTQA+ community and mentorship and the importance of empowering children.
In this wide-ranging talk, Dr. Rebello discusses women in leadership, the gender pay gap, work/life balance, and more.
Professor and Chair at the University of Arizona Tucson, Dr. Glas discusses her career and leadership path.
Dr. Conroy advises physicians on secondary degrees, facing leadership challenges, and developing political awareness.
Dr. Glas shares her experience with gender bias and imposter syndrome, and poses ideas for inclusion in our specialty.
Here Dr. Conroy discusses gender equity, diversity, and her reasons for creating Women of Impact.
Dr. Vinson discusses physician wellbeing and the importance of networking and leadership development.
In her third interview, discusses her experience as a Black woman in the field of anesthesiology and assesses progress of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the field.
Dr. Diaz discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, being an active participant, and the importance of mentorship.
Dr. Vinson presents on how being part of the LGBQTA+ community has impacted her career and family life.
Dr. Gálvez Delgado emphasizes the benefit of community in academic pursuits and how important it is to grow from our mistakes.
Dr. Rebello discusses going from pharmacist to anesthesiologist and her roles in APSF, ASA committees, and leadership.
Dr. Diaz talks about how constructive criticism is beneficial, as well as the importance of understanding biases.
Topics include global anesthesia, private vs. academic practices, the benefits of engagement, and secondary degrees.
Dr. Shillcutt talks about her business, Brave Enough, how to not accept gender biases, and imposter syndrome.
Dr. Wright discusses finding work-life balance and mitigating burnout.
In her second interview, Dr. Toledo about her experience as a Latinx woman in anesthesiology, finding support in your institution, and the importance of having mentors.
Dr. Lee addresses burnout and mitigation tactics, her experience in leadership, and how she chose her research niche.
Dr. McQueen discusses women in leadership, work-life balance, burn out, and ways to help at local and society levels.
Dr. Shillcutt talks about her experience as a young researcher and the challenges researchers face.
In her first interview, Dr. Alice Coombs describes her journey in healthcare, from earning a Master’s in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School of Government to becoming the Chair at Virginia Commonwealth University.
In her second interview, Dr.Coombs provides a framework to help you along your career path: the “Coombs 3 circles.” We also discuss reinventing yourself and becoming a good leader through active listening.
A discussion on what Women Empowerment Leadership Initiative (WELI) is and the importance of diversity within our specialty.
In her third interview, Dr. Wright discusses how to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the field of anesthesiology through the ASA.
Dr. Straker discusses finding mentors and establishing your work-life balance early in your career.
Dr. Olutoye provides insights on pursuing clinical research and leadership activities in anesthesiology.
In her third interview, Dr. Chandrabose discusses work-life balance and personal mental health and how prioritizing your personal and family life over academic pursuits protects you against burnout.
In her third interview, Dr. Olutoye discusses work-life balance and combatting burnout and offers advice to rising anesthesiologists.
In her second interview, Dr. Heitmiller talks about how to be a great mentor and mentee and how her experiences made her a better leader.
In her second interview, Dr. Wright talks about the importance of mentorship and mentors to help guide your career.
The Dean at the University of Florida School of Medicine shares how to strategically pace yourself when balancing personal and work responsibilities, and why she loves being an anesthesiologist.
In her second interview, the Chair at University of Iowa Department of Anesthesiology, gives her perspective on how gender bias has evolved, and shares strategies on how we can help our colleagues who experience imposter syndrome by confirming they are doing a good job and showing our support.
In her third interview, Dr. Toledo advises young anesthesiologists to find their passion and to do things that bring joy to avoid burnout.
In her second interview, Dr. Mason offers advice on overcoming career obstacles, achieving work-life balance, and reducing stress.
ASA Past President Beverly Philip shares her perspective on how members can use ASA as a resource, the unique challenges women face in their careers, and how ASA has begun to improve diversity in their leadership
Dr. Jane Fitch provides career advice on mentorship and work-life balance during your career and beyond.
Jane Fitch, MD, and I discuss her transition from certified nurse anesthetist to anesthesiologist.
In her third interview, Dr.Coombs shares how she’s risen to become one of the few African American chairs of an anesthesiology department, dealing with racism and bias along the way, with ideas to address these barriers.
Dr. Rosenblatt talks about her experience administering intralipid therapy and how it changed her career path.
In her first video, Dr. Rosenblatt, Chair of Morningside West Mt. Sinai, talks about her career path. She shares lessons she learned along the way and explains how fulfilling mentoring has been in her life.
Dr. Lauren Thornton shares her unique experience as a female Native American pediatric anesthesiologist during COVID.
Lauren Thornton, MD, shares her experiences with mentorship, sponsorship, networking, and finding work-life balance.
Dr. Wright tells her story of life on the academic career path and what she’s learned about leadership along the way.
Anesthesiology is a male-dominated specialty, and Dr. Raman explains tips for women to best position themselves for promotions and use the interview process for their advantage in her third interview.
Dr. Toledo discusses her involvement with ASA & FAER and finding time for research and academic pursuits.
Linda Mason, MD, FASA, on gender bias, diversity and mentoring in anesthesiology
Dr. Mason discusses the importance of leadership development for anesthesiologists looking to climb the academic ladder.
Dr. Olutoye discusses mentoring, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of anesthesiology.
Dr. Chandrabose discusses her journey to founding the Women in Anesthesiology organization.
Part 1 of 3. Dr. Peterson talks about her journey from pediatric anesthesiologist to healthcare administrator.
Part 2 of 3. Dr. Peterson discusses her personal experience with gender bias, as well as, diversity and inclusion in the field of anesthesia.
Part 3 of 3. Dr. Peterson encourages women to enter the field of anesthesia and some of the obstacles women face in the field of anesthesia.
Dr. Koch discusses her academic journey and leadership development. She is the first woman to serve as the Chair of the Department of Anesthesia at Johns Hopkins University Hospital and now the first woman to serve as Dean of the College of Medicine at University Florida.
Dr. Heitmiller discusses her academic and leadership journeys, as well as, leadership skills and obstacles she encountered.
Dr. Philip discusses why she chose to pursue anesthesiology, how she was guided into leadership positions, and the importance of having mentors.
Dr. Wong discusses leadership and the importance of having the support of family and colleagues.
Dr. Straker discusses women’s leadership roles and turning mistakes into learning opportunities.
Dr. Fitch provides great insight into leadership development, career advice, and the benefits of participating in ASA.
In her second interview, the Associate Professor at UC San Diego and founder of Women in Anesthesiology discusses why women are not entering the field of anesthesiology. She also shares how making things more equitable does not require taking away opportunities from others.
In her third interview, Dr. Wong gives her thoughts on identifying your passions and finding mentors outside of the operating room.
In her second interview, Dr. Hines and I discuss how institutions need to measure Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to demonstrate improvement. Also, we talk about how to give people a safe space to discuss Imposter Syndrome.
In her third interview, we discuss the importance of being a lifelong learner and finding mentors who ask you where you want to go and help you get there together— not mentors who want you to follow their path.
Dr. Hines, longtime chair at Yale University, gives wide-ranging advice on how to survive the rigors of academia.
In her second interview, Dr. Hines and I discuss how institutions need to measure Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to demonstrate improvement. Also, we talk about how to give people a safe space to discuss Imposter Syndrome.
In her third interview, we discuss the importance of being a lifelong learner and finding mentors who ask you where you want to go and help you get there together— not mentors who want you to follow their path.
In her first interview, Dr. Raman talks about her career path, including going back to school to get her MBA, and advises viewers how to find a research topic they’re passionate about that also fills a need or gap in care.
Discussing leadership development in her second interview, Dr. Raman offers helpful book recommendations and strategies for viewers who feel stagnant in their careers.
Dr. Jane Fitch discusses the benefits of diversity and inclusion, and how we can promote these efforts in our field.
In her fourth video, Dr. Raman offers some advice to viewers for managing the “whirlwind of chaos” of their careers, and using mindfulness and positive thinking to maintain work/life balance.
In her third video, Dr. Rosenblatt shares her experiences with gender bias, work/life balance, and burnout. She also explains how diversity adds richness to your department, and flexibility keeps it running smoothly.
Date of last update: November 24, 2025
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