Hi Everyone,
Happy Friday! Here is a quick look at what’s new at FemInEM:
Where We’ve Been: Our Community in Action
Our FemInEM community continues to make an impact everywhere. Check out some of our latest appearances:
Dr. Kimi Chernoby gave the final lectures of our Illinois project this week, closing out a statewide effort that reached nearly 400 providers across diverse practice settings, including rural and Catholic health systems. This work lays the groundwork for our next phase in Illinois: examining the impact of Catholic health systems and comparing implementation strategies that drive lasting practice change.
For a full look at our work and where we’ve been, check out our latest impact report.
Our Voices: New Content from FemInEMs
We love sharing the stories, experiences, and challenges our community takes on every day.
Here are our latest stories that you may have missed:
The Next Generation of Emergency Care: Why Gen Z's Voice Matters
I grew up figure skating. It was never a healthy sport. Rife with conformity, eating disorders, and pressure to fit a mold. This year marked a massive cultural shift thanks to the Gen Z energy of the ladies’ competition. Alyssa Liu refused to conform- wearing her signature striped hair and frenulum piercing. She’d eat what she wanted and dress how she w…
Where Do I Belong? Mentorship When You Don’t Fit the Script
I started my intern year feeling completely lost. There were only two female attendings in my program’s large urban academic department (one of whom has subsequently sued the associated medical school for sex discrimination). There was only one person of color. This monotone environment made it difficult to feel seen and supported.
From difficult shifts to breakthrough moments, from complicated cases to lessons learned, your experiences matter. FemInEM is committed to highlighting the full spectrum of voices in emergency medicine, and we’d love to include yours.
Get Involved: Opportunities & Resources
FemInEM has launched the Medication Abortion in Urgent Care Toolkit, developed from the work of the Marquette Medical Urgent Care program, the first urgent care-based medication abortion program in the country. Built in partnership with Drs. Koskenoja and Brown, the toolkit gives providers a practical, replicable model for integrating medication abortion into urgent care settings. It's designed to help other practices adopt this approach and expand access in the communities they serve.
Applications are now open for the next cohort of FemInEM’s Champions of Change! We’re calling on medical students ready to step up, speak out, and lead the fight for better reproductive healthcare.
Through targeted training, participants will sharpen advocacy, leadership, and policy skills while diving into:
Two clinical modules: Early pregnancy loss and mifepristone/misoprostol
Four changemaking modules: Driving change through advocacy, policy, and education
Phase 2: Opportunities to join ongoing FemInEM projects
Applications close on September 1. Feel free to reach out to Asia Nguyen (FemInEM Program Manager) at asiavnguyen@feminem.org with any questions.
Have you joined the Total Team Challenge yet? FemInEM’s four evidence-based model workplace policies covering fertility care, pregnant physician scheduling, return-to-work support, and lactation accommodations are live! And we are challenging EDs across the country to step up and adopt them. Winning departments will receive FIGS for their whole department and national recognition. Visit the Total Team Contest Page or read our Substack announcement for more details including rules and eligibility.
The Next Shift Retreat: Join us for an intimate 3-day retreat designed exclusively for trailblazing women (55+) in EM ready to reimagine what comes next, on their own terms. Questions or trouble registering? Reach out to emmawalker@feminem.org.
New Opportunity: Our partner, Access Bridge, is recruiting for two new opportunities for clinicians looking to expand reproductive care from the ED.
Opportunity 1: The National Fellowship: Our marquee fellowship supporting clinicians to expand reproductive care from the ED. As one graduate put it: “The experience is invaluable: knowledge acquisition, networking, change-making. It is the real deal.” Help us recruit the next class of champions.
Opportunity 2: Residency Project with CIR: We’re glad to share this new partnership with the Committee for Interns and Residents. Priority given to CIR members, though non-members in regions with critical reproductive care shortages may be considered.
Community Highlights
This section spotlights recent articles, podcasts, and media features about FemInEM members or their work, produced by outside organizations. These are stories from beyond our own community, showcasing the impact of FemInEMs in the wider world.
The Virginia Independent featured Dr. Kimi Chernoby, discussing how Virginia's proposed Reproductive Freedom Amendment would protect patients facing pregnancy-related complications and expand access to the full scope of reproductive healthcare, from contraception to emergency abortion care.
Thank you for reading and being part of our community. None of this work would be possible without your support. If you’d like to help us continue advancing education, advocacy, and resources for women in emergency medicine, please consider making a donation.