“I was the only female in my program when I joined my surgical residency, including all of the attendings/staff. It was a “boy’s club” in every sense of the way. While all of my male co-residents got addressed as “Doctor,” I was more often than not addressed as “sweetie” or “hon.” Today’s woman dreamer, Dr. Kinna Patel, is Foot and Ankle Surgeon practicing in Georgia with a passion for women empowerment. In this relatable and thought-provoking piece, Kinna reflects on her journey as a female surgeon, from being the only woman in her residency, building relationships with male & female patients, and how she navigated gender biases throughout her career.

LET’S TALK RURAL HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE ACCESS. Having health insurance is a major contributor to better health outcomes. Due to the high cost of healthcare, those without health insurance are less likely to seek out adequate care. In Tennessee for example, up to 10% of the population lives without health insurance, placing those with chronic illnesses in a particularly difficult situation. The survival of these populations rely heavily on the efforts of those in the medical field who are willing to bridge this gap. A beautiful example of this is Good Faith Clinic, located in rural Athens, Tennessee. Today’s woman dreamer, Norma Barham, has been volunteering with the Good Faith Clinic for over 14 years, providing healthcare to low income patients in Tennessee, often without health insurance. This article was written by guest contributor Elizabeth Taylor and our global health contributor, Priya Dharampuriya, both medical students with a passion for healthcare equality and access. In this thought-provoking interview, they discuss the role rural clinics have in our health system, the challenges these clinics face, and some of the key issues and trends with patients in these communities. A topical and relevant interview, join us for Women’s Health Wednesday!