Support and Advice
As part of the largest body of female doctors in the UK, you will be in contact
with doctors from all branches of the profession, as well as other medical
students. Our officers and members are always willing to offer support and
relevant careers advice.
Grants and Bursaries
MWF offers annual mature student grants and elective bursaries to female medical
students, and members are given priority in the judging process.
Networking
As well as producing a members’ directory, we offer a special reduced
rate to students wishing to attend our national meetings. These events give
an opportunity to meet fellow students and doctors, as well as being educationally
worthwhile. Students can apply to the Rosemary Rue Fund to assist with meeting
expenses.
Advocacy
MWF gives you the chance to voice your opinions on issues which you feel strongly
about and to become involved in medical politics. Our Medical Student representative
is very happy to take on your comments in her lobbying.
Student Essay Competition
Our annual Dr Katherine Branson Essay Competition is open to all medical students.
Winners receive a cash prize and are invited to present their essay at our
Spring Meeting.
Discuss the Issues
MWF offers a forum to discuss your views on gender equity, maternity pay,
health care reform and many other issues. We are always keen to hear your
views and can bring them to the committees on which our members sit.
Medical Woman
All members receive our journal, ‘Medical Woman’ three times a
year. Student members are also encouraged to submit articles and elective
reports to be published within it.
Monthly Newsletter
MWF members receive our monthly e-newsletter which contains important and
up to the minute news as well as information on future events.
Local Support
By joining us you will also be part of a smaller regional branch of MWF. You
will be asked along to local meetings and given a platform on which to share
your views. Your local secretary will also be happy to advise you on any issues.
Supporting Doctors and their Patients
Without our members MWF could not continue its important work in changing
discriminatory attitudes and practices within medicine. As the number of women
entering medicine increases we need to ensure that doctors train and work
in a way which is most beneficial to patient care and to doctors themselves.
© 2006, All rights reserved
"My first exposure to MWF was as a grant recipient while at medical school in 2004. Having never considered myself a ‘prize’ student, it boosted my confidence immensely – not to mention the financial help! I published my elective experience in the bulletin– another big confidence booster! Having qualified now - in retrospect, the biggest difference MWF made was giving me tangible reason to believe in myself while still a student. My ambitions were consistently supported, opportunities always being in abundance. For all my insecurities as a student, I ended up having more on my CV at graduation than many of my friends!"
Dr Vino Apok
F1 in Cardiology
Kingston Hospital
"For many years I thought that the fight had been fought and won and that we are all equal, but on several occasions throughout my medical career I have been given reason to understand that this is not so - most recently when at the ARM I was advised that I should have been at home looking after my children rather than busy with Medico-politics!"
"The kids always get really excited when I'm mentioned in the Papers
or on the radio or TV but best of all is when they say to my husband "You
need to work harder, there's nothing about you when we ‘Google you’
unlike Mummy”!"
Dr Helena McKeown
Part-time GP Principal
Local Groups
As well as joining a national organisation you become part of a smaller, local
group. They organise social, medical, careers and other events, and offer
members advice. Local groups also provide opportunities to take part in committee
work at a regional level.
Medical Woman / MWF Newsletter
As a member you will receive a monthly e-newsletter which contains national
and international news, as well as current information and guidance on career
and pay structures. You will also receive our magazine, Medical Woman, three
times a year. This contains relevant articles and reports on our committee
meetings – members are encouraged to contribute and offered the chance
to be published in a peer read publication.
Representation
Many MWF members were the first women to head major national medical bodies.
The MWF is represented on major committees of the Department of Health, BMA,
Royal Colleges and other bodies. MWF members form the majority of women doctors
elected to the GMC.
International
The MWF is an active member of the Medical Women's International Association
(MWIA) which has worldwide membership and hosts an annual congress –
in Germany in 2010. By becoming a member of MWF you gain free membership of
the MWIA.
National Meetings
We hold two major meetings a year, for which members receive discounted prices.
One in London in Autumn and our Spring Meeting in a different location –
in 2009 this will be Brighton. Members are invited to present abstracts and
the meetings give an excellent chance to network and improve your professional
knowledge.
Support and Advice
As part of the largest body of female doctors in the UK you will be privileged
in receiving advice from fellow members with medical experience. Our officers
and members are always willing to offer support and relevant careers advice
or put you in touch with the relevant body.
Advocacy
MWF gives you the chance to strengthen your voice on issues which you feel
strongly about and become involved in medical politics. Many of our members
sit on major medical committees.
A Chance to Discuss the Issues
MWF offers a forum to discuss your views on gender equity, maternity pay,
health care reform and many other issues. We are always keen to hear your
views and can bring them to the committees on which our members sit.