This post was authored by Natalie A. Bello, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine at the Columbia University Medical Center, and Johanna Paola Contreras, MD, MSc, FACC, assistant professor of Cardiology, Heart Failure and Transplant at Mount Sinai Hospital. Both are members of the ACC’s Women in Cardiology Section.

The ACC New York State Chapter of the ACC’s Women in Cardiology (WIC) Member Section recently hosted its annual networking event at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan. The gathering was a unique mix of women at all stages of their careers from fellows in training and junior faculty through more senior women, representing both private practice and academics.

Over a delightful spread of heart healthy food and beverages, conversations ranged from starting a job search or running a practice in today’s health care environment to catching up with old friends and making new ones.

The first female president of the ACC New York State Chapter, Smadar Kort, MD, FACC, was present and gave some inspiring remarks about breaking down barriers and taking charge of our careers. We were also lucky to have Sandra Lewis, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC WIC Member Section, present to share her insights as well.

The event was capped by a talk from Julia Tartagila, a co-founder of the Scientista Foundation, which she began while still in college to help empower young women to attain careers in science. The foundation’s mission is to create content, communities and conferences for pre-professional women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Julie’s message to reach out to those women below us to share our perspective and encouragement resonated throughout the crowd. The event was tremendously successful in bringing together women from around the state to make professional, as well as personal, connections. We’re looking forward to making 2015 even better for WIC members in New York.

To get involved in the ACC’s WIC Member Section, visit ACC.org/WIC. To learn more about the ACC’s Mentoring Program, visit ACC.org/Mentoring.

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