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March 11, 2022

By Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science staff

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The Office for Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Mayo Clinic celebrates Women's History Month. This year's theme — Providing Healing, Promoting Hope — is a tribute to the selfless sacrifices of frontline workers and caregivers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It also honors women throughout history and the world who have provided healing and hope.

Integral to the founding of Mayo Clinic were the contributions of women, from patient care to research and education. It all started with Mother Alfred Moes, founder of the Rochester Franciscans who established Saint Marys Hospital in 1889. Together with Dr. William Mayo, Mother Moes laid the foundation for Mayo Clinic — With our faith and hope and energy, it will succeed.

Alyssa Chapital, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Chapital is chair of the Clinical Practice Committee and is a consultant for the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Mayo Clinic's Arizona campus. Not only is she an associate professor of surgery at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, but she is a physician executive with responsibilities for the oversight of clinical practice departments, programs, and operations at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

"My biggest challenge as a female professional has been objectively assessing my own ceiling and my own worth," admits Dr. Chapital. "I limited myself early on in my career by self-doubt and by assuming a rejection now meant a 'no' forever, or criticism provided meant I was not good enough. Broadening my perspective to multiple possibilities has allowed me to grow. My success has come from reaching further than I thought ever possible." 

"One of the proudest achievements in my professional career is without a doubt being the Hospital Medical Director of Mayo Clinic in Arizona," shares Dr. Chapital. "The ability to shape the hospital footprint, the type of care provided for patients, and an environment where people want to work while partnered with the nation’s best nursing and administrative executives have served as the most fulfilling professional time of my life."

Karen Newcomer, M.D.

Dr. Newcomer is a consultant in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Her workday involves clinical work and teaching. She is passionate about teaching the next generation of learners and creating an inclusive and diverse workplace at Mayo Clinic.

"Early in my career, I struggled with imposter syndrome (even though I didn’t know that’s what it was called at the time), particularly in interdisciplinary meetings or conferences dominated by men," shares Dr. Newcomer. "Over time I have developed the confidence to use my voice and share my ideas. It has also been important for me to surround myself with colleagues who support and respect me."

Courtney Sherman, M.D.

Dr. Sherman is an assistant professor for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. She is also an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction (hip and knee replacements and revisions) and orthopedic oncology (bone and soft tissue tumors) in both adults and children.

Dr. Sherman believes the biggest challenge she has faced as a female professional is the continued bias against female surgeons that exists in surgery and specifically orthopedic surgery. Female orthopedic surgeons represent just six percent of practicing orthopedic surgeons.

"Many patients, colleagues, providers, and families just expect a male orthopedic surgeon, and at times, I have spent energy and time explaining my credentials and training," say Dr. Sherman. "It is rarer for a male orthopedic surgeon to have to provide such information. There is also a bias that you have to be 'extremely strong' to be an orthopedic surgeon. Technique is always more important than 'strength' in surgery. I perform some of the biggest surgeries in our department and have never felt I could not do it because I am a female."

Fatima Islam

Fatima Islam has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech and is currently a third-year medical student at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. The first two years were done in Rochester and she is now doing clinical rotations at Mayo Clinic in Florida as part of the Minnesota/Florida track.

"I think one of the biggest challenges I have faced as a female professional is the lack of female and minority representation in the field that I want to make my career in, which is orthopedic surgery," shares Fatima. "I have learned that it is more important to trust my own judgment on what I want to do with my career and my own values above what others say. Thankfully, I have also found some amazing surgical staff, both female and male, who have been supportive in my journey, and I really appreciate the backing we have from our school in all of our endeavors as well."

Fatima is involved with the medical school DEI council on the Florida campus. She is committed to finding ways to support diversity and equity for all different backgrounds within the medical school.

Amy Williams, M.D.

Dr. Williams is the Executive Dean of Practice and Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic. She is also a consultant within the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension.

"The biggest challenge," shares Dr. Williams, "has been striking a balance between meeting my professional goals and my personal goals. The most important thing you can do for your career is to choose your life partner very carefully. Be as honest as you can be about your personal and professional goals and their personal and professional goals. A career in medicine is a huge commitment; we work so hard and love what we do so much that it becomes part of who we are. I took a pause in my academic progress early in my career when my daughters were young, and afterwards I accelerated my path to reach my goals, so be easy on yourself and don’t compare yourself to others — everyone has their own path."

Dr. Williams is proud of the colleagues she's been able to sponsor, mentor, and guide over the years, and she finds great meaning in being part of career journeys. She goes on, "I am also honored and humbled to have been the first woman at Mayo Clinic to receive several achievements. I was the first woman Chair of the Hospital Practice Subcommittee and the first woman Chair of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, which is the largest department of medicine in the country and perhaps in the world. And now the first woman to hold the position of Executive Dean of Practice. In order to become a leader at Mayo Clinic, you first have to be as good of a professional as you can be in your role. Be the best colleague you can be, the person that lifts others up and helps solve problems. It is then when you are seen as a leader and will get opportunities for growth."

Ann Barnes

Ann is an administrative assistant at the Office for Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

"Managing work-life balance has been one of the biggest challenges that I have faced as a female professional," shares Ann. "This was especially true when my daughters were young. I have discovered that the following three things helped me greatly to maintain work-life balance during my professional career — becoming more organized at home and at work, carving out time for my family regardless of how busy I am, and taking care of my physical and mental health so that I can function best in my role as a mom and working professional."

Outside of work, Ann enjoys being close to nature. "If I am not walking my German shepherd and English bulldog or spending time with friends/family," she says, "you can find me sitting outside enjoying a delicious cup of coffee while listening to the birds chirp."

Lisa Buss Preszler, PharmD, R.Ph.

Dr. Buss Preszler is a pharmacy education supervisor. She provides oversight for the pharmacy programs on the Arizona campus within Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences as well as pharmacy staff orientation and training/development.

"One challenge, especially early in my career, was creating and building alliances," shares Dr. Buss Preszler. "What I learned from that experience is that it is important to explore opportunities internal and external to your employer, including those that might be unfamiliar to you. Actively engage in those opportunities that align with your interests or growth areas versus waiting for someone to offer you a seat at the table." Dr. Buss Preszler also stresses that it is her responsibility now, as an established professional, to pay it forward and help new female professionals connect and engage with others.

"Outside of work, my husband and I are avid travelers and have traveled to six continents," she says. "I’m hoping that since we no longer get to experience winter, I will eventually convince him that we should check out Antarctica!"

Valeria Thomas, PMP, CSM

Valeria is a senior project manager for the Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery. She manages several enterprise projects involving research and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Valeria has worked in health care for the majority of her career. She has worked in information technology and healthcare management in her previous roles.

"Although women are making an impact, information technology has always been a predominantly male-dominated industry and a predominantly white industry," explains Valeria. "It has been a challenging environment to work in, not only as a woman but as a person of color. I’ve always felt the need to prove myself more than my white male counterparts. Despite national conversations about gender diversity in technology, women are still underrepresented — even more so for women of color."

Through her career, Valeria has learned to surround herself with mentors — both male and female — to help navigate through challenges she may experience.

Outside of work and her family, Valeria is on the RISE for Youth project, impacting underrepresenteded youth. Helping youth is also one of her passions, and managing the project is near and dear to her heart.

Shannon Laughlin-Tommaso, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Laughlin-Tommaso is a chair of the Division of Gynecology and associate dean for the Office for Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She is a part of an amazing, minimally-invasive, gynecologic surgery team with specialty in research and treatment of uterine fibroids.

"In terms of challenges throughout my career," shares Dr. Laughlin-Tommaso, "as a short woman, I often have patients think I am younger than I am or comment on how young I look. This sometimes makes me wonder if they think I am experienced enough to do their surgery. After a while, these comments can start to make you question yourself. Now I teach on gender equity and have found allies to support me and ways to speak up." 

"I was proud to be hired at Mayo Clinic into the Division of Gynecology and the minimally-invasive surgery group as the first female surgeon in my group," says Dr. Laughlin-Tommaso. "Being the associate dean for Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has also been very fulfilling and challenging both professionally and emotionally."

About the Office for Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Mayo Clinic, the Office for Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion recognizes that the contributions of every individual is essential to success in patient care, education, and research. The office strives to maintain and further develop a learning environment in which individual differences are valued, allowing all staff and students to achieve their fullest potential.

To read and learn more about recognizing Women's History Month at Mayo Clinic, visit the Office for Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s social media channels — Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.