Celebrate DCI Faculty with Women in Medicine Month

*updated on September 21, 2020

The annual Women in Medicine Month each September is a national effort showcasing the accomplishments of women physicians, scientists, educators, and leaders in medicine.

This month, Duke Cancer Institute is celebrating Women in Medicine Month with a social media campaign led by communications strategist Jessica Hyland honoring our EMPOWER (Engaging Mentorship for the Promotion of Women in Oncology at Duke Cancer Institute) physicians who have offered their time, wisdom & support to advance women w/ careers in medicine. So far surgical oncologist Jennifer Plichta, MD, MS (Breast Oncology and Breast Risk Assessment Clinic) and medical oncologist Carey Anders, MD (Breast Oncology and Duke Brain & Spine Metasasis Center at DCI) and radiation oncologist Norleena Gullett, MD (Duke Radiation Oncology, Scotland Cancer Treatment Center) have been spotlighted, with more to come! Follow @DukeCancer on Twitter, and, for a more in-depth look, Duke Cancer Institute's Facebook page, to learn why these "empowered" physicians chose medicine and what makes them tick.

The Duke University Department of Medicine and the Program for Women in Internal Medicine have been highlighting women faculty and trainees as Sheroes. Who is a Department of Medicine Shero? Sheroes are women faculty and trainees who exemplify excellence in their clinical work, leadership, research, community dedication, personal balance, and more.

From now through the end of September, faculty and staff are invited to nominate a “Shero” using this form — as many women as you wish — by sharing how their Shero inspires them. The Department of Medicine will honor, highlight, and celebrate her throughout the month of September.

As of September 14, the following oncology Sheroes had already been nominated: medical oncologist Danielle Brander, MD (Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy); medical oncologist Susan Dent, MD, FRCPC (Breast Oncology and Cardio-Oncology); medical oncologist Stefanie Sarantopoulos, MD, PhD (Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy), medical oncologist Kelly Westbrook, MD (Breast Oncology and OncoFertility); and medical oncologist Tian Zhang, MD (Prostate and Urologic Cancers). 

Hear from the people who nominated them why they are Sheroes