6 women in medicine transforming their field

Physicians, surgeons and researchers are making incredible strides in the approach and delivery of patient care.

Women are transforming the field of medicine. And not solely in their individual patient interactions—they are linchpins in how physicians, researchers and surgeons can Raise Health every day.

Debbie Salas-Lopez, MD, MPH, for example, is strengthening lower income communities from the ground up. She’s creating programs to end smoking and human trafficking, and to safely, equitably get COVID-19 vaccines to lower income neighborhoods via Northwell’s faith-based testing initiative.

Breaking ground at the national level are women like Maria Torroella Carney, MD, an internist, geriatrician, palliative care physician and public health leader. She’s highlighting Northwell’s COVID-19 vaccine best practices with other large health systems so they can learn which strategies get shots in arms where they’re needed most.?

Some are energizing medical research. Karina Davidson, PhD is supporting mid-career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them build skills to navigate productive, engaging, and rewarding senior faculty positions and science portfolios. And, even as she chairs the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Dr. Davidson and her team have launched a COVID-19 research consortium to provide rapid, rigorous, and transparent reporting of the clinical-care expertise and scientific advances that emerge from Northwell. It’s a move that assists other health systems—and the public at large—manage their response to the disease.

Jacqueline Moline, MD, MSc is conducting critical work at Northwell's World Trade Center Health Program. Her work heading that program also has a national impact, as she researches and treats conditions from which first responders and volunteers from the 9/11 pile have been suffering. ?

Women in medicine at Northwell also are focusing on women’s health.

Kristina Deligiannidis, MD, is investigating a postpartum depression pill that shows powerful promise. She also has been awarded a $2.7 million grant to determine the neurochemistry and neurocircuitry of perinatal depression and a $1.4 million sub-award to study the use of bright light therapy and sleep prescription in antenatal depression/insomnia.

In addition to co-authoring an article about sex-based differences in COVID-19 outcomes in The Journal of Women's Health, Stacey E. Rosen, MD, received the 2021 Physician of the Year award from the American Heart Association. Her leadership at the local, regional and national levels has helped raise awareness of heart disease in women and addressed ways to eliminate health disparities.

Northwell’s women in medicine have vision.

Jamie Ullman, MD, for example, is working to ensure that the next generation of women in medicine have opportunities to thrive professionally. While Dr. Ullman directs neurotrauma at Northwell Health’s Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery at North Shore University Hospital, she’s taken on leadership roles in her field to encourage more women to pursue neurosurgery.

These incredible physicians, surgeons and researchers view every challenge as a chance to break new ground. They uncover the value, wisdom and potential in every patient interaction, published study and tough question. They’re transforming their fields—and raising health—on every level.