Podcast
Our Voices, Our Future
Hosted by Meghan Etsey, Rhea Manohar, Meenu Immaneni, and Laura Uricoechea · EN
Our Future, Our Voices is the podcast where we amplify the changemakers shaping a more equitable future in medicine and beyond. Presented by the Gender Equity Task Force of the American Medical Women’s Association, this series challenges outdated norms, breaks down barriers, and sparks critical conversations on inclusion and justice.
Hosted by Meghan Etsey, Meenu Immaneni, Laura Uricoechea and Rhea Manohar, each episode features candid discussions with leaders, advocates, and trailblazers who are pushing the boundaries of equity. No more silence. No more waiting. It’s time to reclaim our future—one voice at a time.
Subscribe now and be part of the movement!
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Student Doctor and Kriti
1w ago00:23:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we sit down with Kriti Saxena, a second-year medical student in the United States with a background in Neuroscience from New York University, who also shares her journey into medicine through social media by offering honest, relatable insights into medical school, lifestyle, and the pre-med experience.During this episode we talk about her path into medicine and the experiences that first inspired her to pursue this field, as well as the role resilience has played throughout her journey. We discuss her preparation for the MCAT and how persistence shaped her approach during one of the most challenging stages of the pre-med path. Kriti also reflects on her time working as an ophthalmic technician and what that role taught her about perseverance and pursuing opportunities in healthcare. Finally, we explore how she continues to advocate for herself in medical school, the common lessons she has learned across each stage of her training, and her advice for students who may be struggling with setbacks or uncertainty about belonging in medicine.To learn more about Kriti and her work, you can visit her social media: @krititomdYou can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/ You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →
Doctor and Self Preservation Advocate
2w ago00:26:46Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we sit down with Dr. Laura Vater, a medical oncologist, writer, assistant professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and Director of Compassionate Medical Education at the Hippocratic Collective, to explore how writing can serve as both reflection and advocacy within medicine.During this episode we talk about how storytelling can be used as a powerful tool to address mental health stigma in the medical field, the process of finding one’s voice as a clinician-writer, and the ways Dr. Vater balances evidence-based medicine with personal narrative. We also discuss the response from the broader medical community to open conversations about humanism and mental health, and what advice she offers to trainees and clinicians who want to use writing as a form of advocacy but may feel hesitant to speak up.To learn more about Dr. Laura Vater and her work, you can visit her website: Lauravater.comYou can also reach out to Dr. Laura Vater via email: doclauravater@gmail.com You can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/ You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →
Doctor and Language Advocate
3w ago00:41:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we welcome Dr. Rodrigues Armijo, a Latina physician-scientist and educator dedicated to advancing health equity through culturally responsive care, expanded language access, and healthcare workforce development.During this episode, we discuss the importance of language access in healthcare and its impact on quality and safety of care. We explore the current state of language access in the U.S., the gaps that remain, and what high-quality interpretation services should look like beyond simply having an interpreter available. We also talk about the role of culturally competent care and how medical education and health systems can better prepare physicians to care for patients with limited English proficiency.To learn more about Dr. Rodrigues Arijo you can visit: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prirarmijo/You can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/ You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →
Doctor and Leadership Renewer
4w ago00:25:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we welcome Dr. Denee Choice, a physician executive and leadership strategist who empowers women to step into leadership with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. Through her work integrating neuroscience, leadership identity, and executive presence, she helps women make aligned decisions and lead with intention.During this episode, we talk about the internal identity shifts required for women to rise in leadership, the deeper realities behind imposter syndrome, and why high-achieving women may hesitate to step into visible roles. We also explore how traditionally valued strengths like collaboration can become barriers, the systemic challenges women face in healthcare leadership, and practical strategies to build executive presence without compromising authenticity. Dr. Choice also shares powerful insights for medical students and early-career physicians on accelerating their leadership journey and redefining what leadership can look like for women in medicine.To learn more about Dr. Choice and her work, you can visit: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeneeChoice Website: https://choiceleadershipconsulting.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deneechoice/You can also reach out to Dr. Choice via email: denee@choiceleadershipconsulting.comYou can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/ You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →
Student Doctor and First Generation Trailblazer
Jun 1200:29:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we welcome Vanessa Ibimina Batubo, a medical student at St. George’s University and founder of FirstGenMedJourney, as she shares her journey as a first-generation student and her passion for advancing health equity for women across diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.During this episode, we talk about her path into medicine, the challenges and opportunities of being a first-generation medical student, her research and advocacy in women’s health equity, the creation and impact of her online community supporting first-generation students, and how her gap year experiences are shaping her perspective on patient care and her future as a physician.You can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/ You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →
Doctor and Compensation Reformer
Jun 500:18:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we welcome Dr. Amy Gottlieb, an academic general internist, executive leader, and nationally recognized expert on advancing fair pay and professional opportunity in medicine. As the author of Closing the Gender Pay Gap in Medicine: A Roadmap for Healthcare Organizations and the Women Physicians Who Work for Them and Founder of Grays West Advisors, Dr. Gottlieb has helped shape national strategies to close compensation gaps and build equitable advancement pathways across academic medicine.During this episode we talk about Dr. Gottlieb’s journey into compensation equity work, the workplace practices that unintentionally influence pay and career growth, and the structural reforms organizations must adopt to achieve sustainable equity. We explore common challenges leaders face when negotiating compensation, the systems that either widen or close pay gaps, and actionable strategies individuals and institutions can implement to promote transparency, fairness, and long-term professional opportunity. To learn more about Dr. Gottlieb and her work, you can visit:website: https://www.grayswestadvisorsllc.com/ book: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-51031-2You can also reach out to Dr. Amy Gottlieb via email: gottlieb.md@grayswestadvisorsllc.com You can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/ You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →
Doctor and More
May 2900:29:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we welcome Dr. Claire Oduwo, a psychiatrist and content creator, who reminds us of the importance of maintaining a sense of identity outside of medicine during training and into practice.During this episode, we talk about the importance, both personally and professionally, of maintaining a sense of identity outside of medicine. We discuss the pressures that trainees and practicing physicians face, which can keep many of us from discovering who we are outside of medicine and from fully being ourselves. We also touch on some of the unique pressures women in medicine may face that can make it harder to be and show who we are. To learn more about Dr. Oduwo, you can find her on social media:Instagram: @drclaireomdTikTok: @drclaireoYou can also reach out to Dr. Oduwo via email: drclaireo@gmail.com You can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/ You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →
Pediatric Neuropsychologist and Self-Advocate
May 2200:41:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we welcome Dr. Briana Calcagno-Davi, a pediatric neuropsychologist based in New York, who reminds us of the importance of self-advocacy and building a professional identity among colleagues.During this episode, we discuss Dr. Bri’s transition from training into clinical practice, the challenges she has faced as a woman in the clinical setting, and the non-clinical skills that have helped her navigate her career in clinical psychology.To learn more about Dr. Bri, you can find her on social media:Instagram: @dr.bcd_neuropsychTikTok: @bri.c.dYou can also reach out to Dr. Bri via email: BCalcagnoDav@northwell.edu You can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/ You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →
Physician Assistant and Competitive Dancer
May 1500:31:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we welcome Becca Gerrits, a PA-C in inpatient gastroenterology, to explore her journey from a small town in Wisconsin to practicing at a major hospital.During this episode we talk about how her background in competitive dance shaped her work ethic, the pressure to fit traditional expectations in medicine, and the importance of embracing authenticity and individuality in healthcare.You can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.orgIf you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.orgIf you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →
Student Doctor and Generational Dreamer
May 800:19:21Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Voices, Our Future, we sit down with Sehaj Pahwa, a fourth-year medical student at St. George’s University and member of the Gender Equity Task Force through the American Medical Women’s Association, to explore how generational sacrifice, gender expectations, and financial barriers shape who gets to pursue medicine, and who doesn’t.During this episode we talk about the emotional weight of fulfilling a dream her mother was not allowed to pursue, the motivation and pressure that come with generational progress, and the persistent inequities women still face in medical education and leadership. Sehaj shares reflections on resilience, representation, women’s health advocacy, and what it means to create new possibilities for the next generation.You can find more information about the work AMWA’s Advocacy Committee has done and how to join their efforts here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/advocacy/ You can find more information about AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/our-work/initiatives/gender-equity-task-force/If you are interested in joining the group, reach out to getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in learning more about the podcast or being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to our team at getf@amwa-doc.org If you are interested in joining the incredible network of women in medicine - join AMWA today at https://www.amwa-doc.org/Thank you for tuning in to Our Voices, Our Future, we will see you next time!
Transcribe →