March is Women’s History Month. This year’s national theme is “Moving forward together! Women educating and inspiring generations.” This theme celebrates the collective strength, equality and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship and leadership, shaping the minds and futures of all generations. We asked UW Medicine women about their journey into healthcare, the mentors in their lives and how they serve as mentors to others. This is Part 2 of a two-part feature on UW Medicine women.
Eileen Bulger, MD FACS (She, Her, Hers)
Professor and Chief of the Division of Trauma, Burns and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Harborview Medical Center
I started my career as a paramedic which was my first exposure to critically injured patients. In medical school, my experience on a busy trauma service put me on the path to be a trauma surgeon. I was blessed to train in surgery at UW Medicine with mentors who supported my career development.
In surgery, most of my mentors have been men. Ron Maier, MD, has been my primary mentor and sponsor throughout my career. He has been an inspirational leader and role model who has given me the freedom and encouragement to follow my interests and has always had my back.
I am a co-founder of the Women in Trauma Surgery group within the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, which provides support and mentorship for the growing number of women in our field. We hold regular networking and educational events and have grown into a supportive community engaging surgeons from around the world.
Pattie Malone, MD, MBA, MHA (She, Her, Hers)
Clinical Associate Physician, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine Primary Care & Urgent Care
My interest in healthcare began as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Yemen where I taught English. Yemeni women would often come to me with questions about the health of their children and themselves. This experience lit my desire for a career in healthcare.
During medical school, I was blessed to have two mentors. The first two were Coleen Kivlahan, MD, the vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at the University of Missouri, and Betsy Garrett, MD, the family medicine coordinator and faculty mentor for the Family Medicine Interest Group. Then, during my family medicine residency at the Seattle Indian Health Board, Terry Maresca, MD, grounded me in the importance of community, responsibility to the earth and love of education for the next generation.
Today, I precept UW School of Medicine medical students, family medicine residents and MED EX physician assistant students during their clinical training. I am a volunteer preceptor for UW Medicine student-led initiatives such as University District Street Medicine and Harborview Mobile Health Outreach. My goal is to serve as a female physician mentor and to encourage, support and train the next set of healthcare professionals.
Fay Hosseini, PharmD (She, Her, Hers)
Clinical Pharmacist – Emergency Department, Harborview Medical Center
I was inspired to explore the world of hospital pharmacy after I took a research position in the emergency department (ED), where I also had the opportunity to observe the ED pharmacist in her element. Since then, I’ve successfully introduced clinical pharmacy services at three different EDs, including UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center. I’m beyond grateful.
When I think of who has inspired me, it’s Oprah Winfrey! No question. She’s dedicated her life to empowering women and young girls especially, to dare to think different, to want different and to be different. She’s a reminder of what’s possible when women give up the need to constantly seek validation and acceptance from everyone outside of themselves.
I strive to create a fun, nurturing and psychologically safe work environment to promote learning and build confidence from the inside out. When we feel seen, heard, valued and celebrated by others, especially other women, it becomes much easier to uncover our true potential which is ultimately … limitless.
Tammy Wilson, BSRN, BA, MHA, MEd
Assistant Director, Registered Nurse Care Management, UW Medicine Primary Care
When I was growing up, nursing was thought of as a noble role for a female and more achievable than a physician. I grew up in a small, segregated, rural Virginia community. A lot of Black professionals were teachers, and farmers; few were doctors or lawyers
I was inspired by my grandmother and my brother. My grandmother had a third-grade education but was smart and disciplined. My brother was a brilliant student with high test scores. He read the entire Bible at age 12 and became an ordained minister at age 16. My grandmother would tell me, “You are as good as anyone.” And my brother would tell me, “Jesus loves you.” I couldn’t lose.
I take the opportunity to encourage young women to realize their potential and further their education. I encouraged one colleague to obtain her Master of Health Administration and a friend to earn her Master of Public Health. At work, I share knowledge and seek to learn what I do not know but need to know. I believe in self-development.
Margot Simmons, PHR, RACR (She, Her, Hers)
Senior Healthcare Recruiter, UW Medicine
I was the manager for a staffing agency, and Seattle Children’s was one of the clients. I was there on business and witnessed a code being called. In that moment, I thought, “How can I be a part of this?” My ambition became to contribute to healthcare in whatever way I could.
As a teenager, I lived in a residence led by the Sisters of the Good Sheperd. I watched all the sisters care with patience, grace and dedication. They were my mentors — an example to me of what the joy of service could be.
It is my hope that in my nearly 14 years with UW Medicine, I have always helped and supported candidates and employees in all roles (be it patient-facing or not) to make a critical impact on the quality of patient care and improve the health of the public.
Julie Anne Black (She, Her, Hers)
Health Services Manager, UW Medicine Primary Care at Northgate
I felt a strong desire early on to help others and have always been intrigued by science. I started as a bedside nurse and then moved into management 20 years ago. I love being able to influence the care of others by inspiring my team.
A chief nursing officer early in my management career took me under her wing and instilled in me many of the vital aspects of leadership. She modeled servant leadership, was passionate about mentoring and inspiring others, and she managed challenging situations with grace and dignity. I strive to emulate her daily.
To mentor others, it’s important to understand their goals and aspirations. Some are happy to excel in their current roles; others want to advance their education or move into bigger roles. Knowing what they want assures me that I can be supportive. I love seeing women on my team achieve goals, advance their education and move forward in caring for others.
Patricia (Pat) Blissitt, PhD, ARNP-CNS (She, Her, Hers)
Neuroscience Clinical Nurse Specialist, Harborview Medical Center and Clinical Professor, University of Washington School of Nursing
My mother was a nurse, and she inspired me from an early age. Her daily descriptions of her work as an inpatient nurse left me wanting to know more. She was also the nurse everybody in the neighborhood consulted, and she volunteered her free time with the American Red Cross.
Pamela Mitchell, PhD, RN, professor emeritus at the UW School of Nursing, was extremely influential in my career. Through her research, scholarly presentations and publications, and eventually as my dissertation chair, Dr. Mitchell gave me a vision for all that nursing can be.
I support women in nursing through neuroscience nursing classes and time on the units at Harborview. I teach both undergraduate and graduate students at the UW School of Nursing. I mentor nurses in their career trajectories, encouraging and recognizing specialty certification, graduate education and their continued professional development through presentation and publication. It is both hard and extremely fulfilling work.
Editor’s note: Responses were lightly edited for length, clarity and style. Thank you to the UW Medicine employees who have taken the time to share their perspectives.
Any information or opinions shared in this article are personal views and do not represent those of the University of Washington or UW Medicine in any way, shape or form.
