CHAPTER ENGAGEMENT | I had the opportunity to participate in the ACC Maryland Women in Cardiology (WIC) Council Kickoff Event, led by Garima Sharma, MBBS, FACC. It was a beautiful summer evening in late June, and the waterfront outside our venue sparkled alongside our conversation.

At every turn, I met smart, dynamic physicians with unique perspectives.

There were other trainees, who described how inspiring it is to include women cardiologists among their circle of mentors, as these individuals provide special insight and support during training. There were academic cardiologists who described both the joys of mentoring women trainees and the challenges of promoting women physicians within academic institutions.

There were private practice physicians who described the satisfaction of forming strong physician-patient relationships within their communities, as both male and female patients seek their care and expertise.

We are women in cardiology. We love our work. We are diverse in our practice settings, clinical interests, and choices with regard to work-life balance. We are united in our enthusiasm for recruiting and promoting other women in cardiology. We want equal opportunities, and we want equitable consequences of using the opportunities we have.

We support all women and men in cardiology who support us.

As a trainee, I am very grateful to be part of this group. I look forward to seeing the ACC Maryland WIC Chapter celebrating and promoting successes of women in cardiology, providing a think tank of solutions for challenges unique to women in cardiology, and forming a network of mentorship and influence.

Our community grows strong – and this is the beginning.

This article was authored by Pranoti Hiremath, MD, Fellow in Training (FIT) at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD.