Leadership That Spans a Medical Career
Vivian W. Pinn, MD, Accepts the Alma Dea Morani Award
Vivian W. Pinn, MD, has achieved so much over the course of her career, including receiving numerous honors and awards. But none could be more fitting than the Alma Dea Morani, MD, Renaissance Woman Award, which celebrates the history of women in medicine.
Hosted by the New York Academy of Medicine, the award ceremony and Dr. Pinn’s truly inspirational remarks were delivered virtually to several hundred people on November 19, 2020.
She was introduced by her longtime colleague and fellow Alma Dea Morani Award winner, Paula A. Johnson, MD, MPH. Dr. Johnson noted “Years back, I was struck to learn that Dr. Pinn’s passion for medicine dates back to childhood. She traced this back to the doctor's house calls on her ailing grandparents. And she said, “When the doctor came to see them, they always seemed to be better. And I liked that.” In that same spirit. I would like to say that Dr. Pinn has made us all better—better physician, better scientists, better researchers, better mentors, better people.”
Dr. Pinn’s remarks covered her wide-ranging career and explored the data on women in medicine as well as the factors women face like stereotyping and unconscious bias. She also discussed mentoring and work-life balance, then made it clear that now is a time for action.
“We've got lots of committees. We've got lots of reports. It's time for action,” she said. She also said that as a leader, you must have a vision. “And remember, if you are a leader, that really means that you're in that position to help others to advance their careers or goals.”
She ended with her for Es: “We need empathy. We need to focus on equity. We need to focus on ethics, and we need to focus on excellence.”
Many attendees submitted notes of congratulations, including Gay Wehrli, MD, MBA, M.S.Ed, who said “Thank you, Dr. Pinn. You are an inspiration for us! I am ever thankful for the barriers you have broken and the paths you have created for us to follow. We must now take the baton and continue to move women forward and upward."
But Dr. Johnson said it best: “These are not easy times. We stand at the brink of both disaster and great potential. Now more than ever, I'm so grateful to have Dr. Pinn in the world to remind us of what is possible and to point the way forward. Thank you, Vivian, for all that you've contributed. And congratulations.”
The recording of Dr. Pinn’s presentation titled “Women in Academic Medicine: Leadership and Intersectionality Matter” is available exclusively to our subscribers. To get access, subscribe today.