Whether you are a medical student, resident, physician, retired physician or an associate, FMWC provides many professional development and educational opportunities to complement your clinical expertise with practical leadership, and networking platforms to celebrate physician leadership, and even fun discounts.
Let us show you what that really means…read until the end for the fun stuff!
Get recognition. Fund your dreams. All FMWC Student, Resident and Physician Members are invited to apply for renowned FMWC awards and grants through the Medical Women of Canada Foundation (MWCF). Contact the national office for more information.
Join a committee and gain nonprofit engagement experience and recognition in the healthcare workforce. FMWC’s commitment to the empowerment and professional, social and personal advancement of women in medicine includes both developing leaders and providing leadership opportunities within the organization. Volunteer opportunities exist for FMWC Members who would like to participate on one of the FMWC’s committees. These committees focus on aspects ranging from communication (including subcommittees: newsletter, website, social media, advocacy), to membership, PAP campaign, nominations and awards. Becoming a FMWC Director, or even being involved with your local chapter, will provide amazing opportunities to strengthen your relationships with other women in medicine while working on a specific initiative.
Be heard. FMWC initiates and participates in national campaigns on critical public health issues. Members get the opportunity to advocate via campaigns such as the Annual PAP Test Campaign, meant to increase awareness of cervical cancer and the importance of prevention, vaccination and screening to help reduce the number of women dying needlessly from this largely preventable cancer.
Explore your interest in global health. Become a FMWC physician member and you are automatically a member of an international network of women physicians called the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA.net). The MWIA is an international non-governmental organization representing women doctors from all five continents of the world.
FMWC has an extensive network of women in medicine both locally and nationally. With these friends and professional contacts in FMWC, you will have a powerful local and national network for personal and professional growth. Connect online, locally, nationally or internationally to build relationships and strengthen your career.
Learn from the women who blazed trails before you. Effective mentorship is likely one of the most important determinants of career success. FMWC realizes training women physician leaders requires communication of “unwritten rules” of successful career advancement. As a member of FMWC you have access to an extensive network of women physicians willing to offer more than career advice. Your FMWC relationships will lead to career advancement opportunities including public speaking engagements, author opportunities, residency positions and job opportunities.
Obtain the skills necessary to advance your career. Whatever your vision is for your future we are here to support your efforts. FMWC connects women through national, regional and local conferences, seminars, lectures, networking/mentoring events, teleconferences and skills training workshops.
Let us be your microphone. Join our voices. FMWC is an active participant in national and international health care discussions, and has always stood for advocacy for women in medicine, and health promotion for our women patients. For example, we advocate to prevent violence against women and girls. FMWC provides you with the opportunity to support and learn about timely research and legislation on such issues and advocate for healthy change.
As an FMWC member, you receive a subscription to several publications, including the semi-annual FMWC Newsletter, monthly advocacy eBlasts, President’s updates and regular events eBlasts. In addition, our Members also receive the MWIA Newsletter and are often forwarded other interesting news from the national office.
But that’s not all…we’re working hard to save you money too!
Through corporate partnerships, FMWC Members are entitled to special benefits and discounts from select providers. FMWC has partnered with MD Financial Management, Flight Centre, Telus Mobility, and PolyMed Chirurgical and are negotiating other benefits to thank you for your loyalty. Tell us what else you would like to see in the Affinity Program (Member’s Only section of our website in development).
As I said in my acceptance speech, I would not be standing there on the podium if it were not for the input of so many from whom I learned so much and, of course, included among those were the members of the FMWC of which I have been a member since medical school.
I became a FMWC member to learn from the inspiring female physicians that have paved the way for the rest of us in the field. We have those pioneers to thank for how much easier it is for us, and I am reminded of that every time I hear one of them speak at a FMWC event. They taught me that it is not only within my grasp, but within my rights to be all that I can be both as a doctor and as a woman.
I believe the FMWC is a forum to express solidarity with other women: both in our careers as physicians and as advocates for the health of all women.
I have found value at both the local level and nationally. Getting women physicians together is always
inspirational. This is a venue that helps us develop our leadership skills and to be a part of something that can help shape the future of medicine for women and issues relevant to women’s health. We also are connected globally to similar organizations. We can celebrate all that women physicians contribute to medicine and nurture our next generation of women to continue on.
Our membership allows you to join your voice with those of women physicians across the country to speak together about issues that matter to doctors, for the workplace and for doctors’ and patients’ health.
As female physicians we speak the same language-in a sense a short hand of shared issues that often are gender associated. Life balance and work satisfaction are both critical for success. Being a member of FMWC has allowed me to tap into a wealth of shared experiences and excellent advice and support.
Joining the Federation of Medical Women of Canada was a very important decision I made as a medical student. It has provided me with incredible opportunities to network and find mentorship and support. The role and status of women in medicine has changed drastically over the generations and I’m very excited to be part of bringing women’s health and medical education to the forefront.
All of us should belong because together we create a strong voice about our great successes and we also share our continuing challenges and glass ceilings. These discussions benefit us all and help us be the best we can.
I love the FMWC events; they are a ton of fun. Put a group of great women together in a room; add laughter, relaxation, support; throw in an activity...its magic!
I joined the FMWC after attending a networking event held by the Edmonton branch. As a medical student, I was impressed by this excellent opportunity to hear the experiences of established female physicians, as well as to interact on a personal level and make contacts with physicians from a wide variety of specialty areas.
I feel the FMWC has become a stepping stone in leadership development for women. Many opportunities are provided to practice skills necessary in mobilizing enthusiasm and actions toward effective goals for women’s health and status of women.
I joined because Canadian female physicians have a much stronger voice if we are united on issues important to women...Our interconnectedness can spread messages quickly and good things happen. Case in point: FMWC’s Pap Smear campaign!
I joined the FMWC over 50 years ago as a medical student. I have been a member of the FMWC since then because it meant being part of the most powerful advocate on behalf of women physicians and an organization passionately committed to promoting women’s health.
J’aime l’idée de partager, d’échanger et de travailler, dans une communauté de destin, avec les meilleures éléments de la profession, la crème des docteures. Celles qui, au quotidien de leur pratique, soignent, écoutent, prennent le temps d’agir conformément à leur valeur pour le bien-être des patientes. Celles qui, en plus, sont engagées, picaresque par tout, dans les instances qui nous représentent et qui agissent et réfléchissent pour le développement de meilleures pratiques dans le domaine de la santé des femmes. Celles qui sont aussi créatives, imaginatives et qui savent mettre de l’avant de formidables idées pour mobiliser les femmes, les docteurs, les institutions, les gouvernements, autour d’un projet dont l’écho se fait entendre partout à travers le monde.