High-achieving women leadership roles in academic medicine

For almost four decades, the number of women entering the field of academic medicine has increased, yet their numbers in leadership positions remain well below parity. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the experiences of eight women scholars, administrators, and practitioners in academic medicine and their journeys toward advancement at an academic medical center located in the Northeast. This phenomenological study was designed to understand the barriers and opportunities that helped or hindered the participants who achieved leadership roles. The findings for this study describe a range of similarities and differences among the participants with regard to personal and professional support structures. Implications for practice described within this study can help academic medical institutions become more aware of their organizational cultures and make better informed decisions regarding gender differences and parity. Key Words: barriers, gender differences, leadership, mentorship, organizational awareness, support