Celebrating International Women’s Day
In March, Harbin Clinic is honored to celebrate women’s contributions to history, culture and society as part of Women’s History Month. As we reflect on those who have paved the way for progress, we also honor those who are shaping the future for generations to come. At Harbin Clinic, we take great pride in our female leadership at every level of our organization. This year, we asked female physicians to share their work and stories to celebrate their accomplishments and to inspire others toward progress. We began these conversations asking practitioners these questions:
- What attributes helped you obtain success?
- What advice would you give a young woman striving to reach her goals?
- Is there anything else you would like to share from your unique perspective?
Dr. Mary Margaret Beauchamp, MD
Otolaryngologist – ENT & Allergy Care
What are two attributes you feel helped you obtain success?
Multi-tasking and a maternal instinct. These attributes help me give a different and unique approach to patient care. I treat a lot of children and can relate to them thanks to experiences with my own children. Also, because I am a strong multitasker, and I can handle several problems at once. I have found this often sets me a part me from other providers.
What advice would you give a young woman striving to reach her goals?
I am grateful for the women that paved the way for me, especially as a female surgeon. While there are still hurdles for women in the workplace (equal pay, equal leadership opportunities in particular), the medical field (including medical school and residency) is significantly more female-friendly than it was 20 years ago. It is a privilege and an honor to take care of people when they are at their most vulnerable. Also, remember you do not have to choose between a career as a physician/surgeon and having a family. It is much easier now than it was 20, 30 years ago.
Is there anything else you would like to share from your unique perspective?
I want to reiterate how grateful I am for historical female figures who did the arduous work of paving the way for female physicians. For example, Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to receive a medical degree in the US and ultimately opened a medical college for women. While there is still a long way to go, I am so grateful to the women like Blackwell who came before me and made it possible for me to be where I am today.
Dr. Melissa Davis, MD
Pediatrician – Pediatrics Rome Davis Sabino
What are two attributes you feel helped you obtain success?
First, being willing to work hard for what’s important to me has been extremely valuable. My work ethic was born in a small rural town in South Georgia. It was commonplace to work in the field from sunrise to sunset, gathering and preparing vegetables in preparation for what your family needed, and then continue working, even when your freezers were full, to help other families. I was taught to be self-sufficient and to figure out creative solutions to problems, as there was little access to the supplies, services or information found in larger communities.
Second, I was also taught the joy of being kind and compassionate in childhood and this joy embodies the expression of my faith.
What advice would you give a young woman striving to reach her goals?
Remember that today you are becoming the person you want to be in the future, so work hard and do the right thing. And remember to be kind and compassionate to yourself as well.
Is there anything else you would like to share from your unique perspective?
It is such a great honor to serve children and families here in our community, and I would like to say thank you to my patients who continue to teach me about the joy of childhood each day.
Dr. Lucie Mitchell, MD
Physiatrist – Spine and Pain Management Rome
What are two attributes you feel helped you obtain success?
For me, being disciplined and persistent was key to success. I can’t tell you how many times somebody said, “No, that’s probably not going to happen,” or “It’s probably not going to work.” If I had stopped at that no, and said, “You’re probably right,” I wouldn’t be here. Persistence was necessary. I was going to keep doing what I was doing, until I got that one yes. This mindset of discipline and determination was important.
What advice would you give a young woman striving to reach her goals?
Make sure your goals align with your mindset. Consider what you want to strive for yourself and not for anybody else. I’ve heard people say, “I’m doing this because I want to help my parents out,” and my response is, “It’s really not about your parents.” In other words, make sure that whatever goals you have are for you, not anybody else. Then, whatever you do once you’ve reached your goals, as far as helping others, that’s just a secondary bonus to your personal goals.
Is there anything else you would like to share from your unique perspective?
Be okay with failure. People in general, but especially women, are anxious when it comes to failure. I often feel like if I can handle everything myself, I’ll do it right. But I must remember it’s okay to ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness. We want to do it all, but we can’t do it all. It’s okay to fail because we learn more from our failures than we will from our success. It’s also okay to say, “I want to do this, but it might not be the right time, right now.” It’s still going to get done. It will just happen on my own timeline.
Read this recent Harbin feature on Dr. Lucie Mitchell.
Dr. Dimple Modi, MD, MPH
Ophthalmologist – Eye Center Rome
What are two attributes you feel helped you obtain success?
Hard work and a positive attitude. Work hard, play hard has always been my motto. When you’re working, you’re working, and then when you’re off you enjoy yourself. Going along with that, I believe in setting goals for yourself so that you have something you’re reaching or striving for. I genuinely believe attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference. If you don’t have a positive attitude, you end up stressing yourself out and exuding that emotion to everybody else. But if you exhibit a positive attitude with patients, your colleagues and staff, it is contagious and as the leader of the team, as the physician, I believe that if I can work hard and be positive, people will also see that and follow by example.
What advice would you give a young woman striving to reach her goals?
Work-life balance is key. When I’m at work, I give 110%. I am present for my patients, make sure I finish my charts, and that everything is done before I walk out the door. Then, when I’m home, home is my time and my family’s time. This balance is important. It’s also important to have a support system – both at work and outside of work. I am very fortunate to have colleagues that I can talk to and run cases by and are very supportive. I am also very grateful for having a group of friends outside of work that can relate to my struggles of being a working mom.
Is there anything else you would like to share from your unique perspective?
I got a master’s in public health along with my medical degree because it gives me unique perspective on medicine that isn’t necessarily taught in medical school. By going through both programs, I was able to obtain a more holistic view of what patients are facing when they are dealing with the healthcare system.
