Rebecca Barron, MD, MPH

The Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM) has been a critical resource in my career thus far. I got involved in the organization as a resident (at the urging of one of my former chief residents, who is now a colleague also still involved in AWAEM), originally as SAEM didactics committee chair. I then got reinvolved as regionals committee chair once I reentered academic emergency medicine after a brief hiatus. Being part of AWAEM has allowed me to learn from and connect with inspirational women from all facets of academic emergency medicine—indeed, many of my mentors (and now friends) are women I’ve met at AWAEM events or through other AWAEM members. Additionally, I have been able to face personal and professional challenges with more resources and support. For example, in 2023, I received an AWAEM research award, and this year, I was awarded an AWAEM/SAEMF research grant, both of which I am using to further improve sexual assault care. I have also been fortunate enough to receive AWAEM’s momentum and first author research publication awards, which will bolster my case for promotion when the time comes. These are just a few of the ways I’ve tangibly benefitted from AWAEM as an organization, and I am eager to continue giving back to it so that other women in academic emergency medicine can reap the same benefits that I’ve been able to. It has been an honor to serve as AWAEM Treasurer this year—it has deepened my understanding of the organization’s commitment to women EM physicians’ academic advancement, and also enabled me to shape the ways in which we support our members (e.g., increasing financial support for awards). I am hopeful that if given the chance, I can continue to create positive change within AWAEM and beyond.