Online Exclusive | Lifting Talented Women in Cardiology: ACC's Using Her Voice Scholars Program
As a woman in academic medicine, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to be seen and heard. Speaking invitations are critical for promotion and leadership, yet women are too often overlooked. We started the Using Her Voice Scholars Program to help change that — connecting women in cardiology with senior advocates who can open doors, amplify their voices and support their careers in academic medicine.
– Emily S. Lau, MD, MPH, FACC, Program Co-Leader
Women have made remarkable strides in academic medicine, yet they remain underrepresented in tenured faculty positions and leadership roles. The Women in Academic Cardiology Work Group of ACC's Academic Cardiology Member Section launched the Using Her Voice Scholars Program in late 2025 to help address this gap. The initiative connects emerging leaders with senior ACC mentors, builds critical career skills, expands professional networks and creates pathways to high-visibility speaking opportunities.
Pioneered by Emily Lau, MD, FACC, and Marysia Tweet, MD, FACC, the program supports early career women physicians, clinicians, clinician-educators and researchers who are current ACC members and within seven years of completing training.
Throughout the program year, which started this past spring, scholars work closely with their mentors through quarterly one-on-one meetings for personalized guidance and support. The program also features virtual and in-person workshops focused on building critical career skills. So far, sessions have covered presentation skills for virtual and in-person settings, as well as career development in academic medicine.
The inaugural cohort includes four scholars paired with senior ACC advocates:
- Scholar: Agnes Koczo, MD (University of Pittsburgh) Advocate: Malissa J. Wood, MD, FACC
- Scholar: Tania Ruiz Maya, MD, FACC (Vanderbilt University) Advocate: Sharonne N. Hayes, MD, FACC
- Scholar: Anum Minhas, MD (Johns Hopkins University) Advocate: C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, MACC
- Scholar: Sharine Wittkopp, MD (New York University) Advocate: Gina Price Lundberg, MD, FACC
In their own words, the 2026 scholars describe what they hope to gain from the program – and how they hope to pay it forward.
My primary goals for participating in this program are to establish relationships with women physician-scientists at different career stages to learn how to navigate challenges to scientific success and promotion, and to foster collaborative opportunities for multisite, team-based science. I want to improve my scientific presentation skills to most effectively highlight my findings to a broad audience, with particular emphasis on presenting translational research.
– Agnes Koczo, MD, 2026 Scholar
As a woman physician-scientist, it is often inspiring but daunting to aim for both clinical and scholarly excellence. I hope to build a national network of colleagues who support one another's ambitions and foster a culture of sponsorship. Creating spaces where women elevate and champion one another is essential to advancing both individual careers and the broader field of medicine. I am thrilled to be part of this inaugural cohort and look forward to learning from and connecting with such an inspiring community.
– Anum Minhas, MD, 2026 Scholar
I hope to learn directly from experienced leaders to elevate the clarity, impact and storytelling in my scientific presentations. I am also deeply motivated to serve as a role model for women in cardiology, and strengthening my presentation and leadership skills will help me support and inspire the next generation. This program represents an invaluable opportunity to grow, to better advocate for my work and my patients, and to eventually pay that growth forward to other women in the field.
– Tania Ruiz Maya, MD, FACC, 2026 Scholar
As an academic researcher, I am faced with the need to establish myself in the larger community, beyond just a clinic room with a single patient. How do I become 'known for' something in a way that allows me to contribute to the broader academic and clinical community? How do I balance the demand on my time this creates? I hope to learn skills to help me share my knowledge more broadly and connect outside of my 'silo.'
– Sharine Wittkopp, MD, 2026 Scholar
Program Information
Visit the Using Her Voice Scholars Program page for more information.
The program is not currently accepting applications. Check back in 2027 for information on future application cycles.
Get Involved!
Learn about and join the Academic Cardiology Member Section here.
Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, CM-Sep-2026, Women in Cardiology, Academic Performance, Mentoring
