Roundtable

The research literature has long examined the challenges that academic and professional women in public health, and the health professions, face when trying to combine fulfilling professional careers with gratifying personal lives. These issues have been the subject of mentorship programs, self-help books and op-eds in both the specialized and the popular literature. Nevertheless, less is known about the personal costs that may result from women choosing higher education and professional careers. Some facts remain ubiquitous: women still make less money that men and are expected to comply with low-status roles (often caretaking in nature) for no compensation. Professional women may also face special challenges in finding a partner, childbearing and childrearing. Additionally, there is an increasing shrinkage of institutional spaces for women to develop coping skills and mentor relationships, which might help them overcome these challenges. In many places, the voices of women, particularly minority scholars and professionals, are often absent. This roundtable will offer a space where women can collectively reflect on and problem-solve these challenges according to the following main themes: Professional Gender Paradoxes: The feminization of the public health labor force and institutional barriers for advancement. Personal Gender Paradoxes: Gender, class and ethnic issues in intimate relationships. Caretaking Dilemmas: Challenges brought by women’s caretaking roles, including childbearing and childrearing. Experiencing Intersectionality: how gender, race and ethnicity are intertwined in seeking advancement. Mentorship Conundrums: The benefits and challenges of mentorship relationships, including their hierarchical nature. Beyond the Paradox: Combining successful careers with rewarding personal lives.

Session Objectives: 1) Discuss the challenges providers face in combining their careers with their personal lives. 2) Describe general common themes that could be used to draft an APHA policy resolution, regarding career advancement for women in public health and the health professions. 3) List recommendations for common themes that could be used to draft the above mentioned resolutions.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)