About

Background

NoWEM was founded as a community of Emergency Physicians committed to promoting equality, diversity and respect in our profession.

Women represent over one third of Emergency Physicians in Australasia, yet we are a long way from achieving gender equality in leadership and governance bodies, and rates of gender-based discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment remain unacceptably high. An emerging body of research is increasingly confirming a reality that many people in medicine have known for a long time: sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination and inequality are commonplace, and these issues are adversely impacting our profession, our wellbeing and the quality of our patient care*. The situation is even more stark for people of colour and those identifying as LGBT+.

*For a detailed and accessible summary of the latest literature we highly recommend the Be Ethical Campaign Whitepaper, freely available here.

Mission

NoWEM aims to constructively address barriers to gender equality at both structural and personal levels.

We create opportunities to support professional collaboration, networking and mentoring between women in Emergency Medicine. We facilitate and engage in discussion of the systemic issues preventing women from achieving full representation in Emergency Medicine. We promote inclusivity, diversity and respect in our profession and our community.

We are deeply grateful to those who have gone before us in the pursuit of equality, and we hope to continue this work for the benefit of the people who come after us.

Core Values

Words matter, actions matter.

We are all individuals. As individuals we each have different personalities, ideas and experiences. NoWEM values its community’s voice and embraces its diversity, whilst adhering to certain core values. What we say and how we interact with one another can define us and have a profound impact on others.

Integrity and Ethical Conduct

• NoWEM aims to represent the community that has shown commitment to and alignment with its goals of empowerment and advancement of women in emergency medicine

• NoWEM aims to be transparent, accountable and honest

• NoWEM invites feedback or concerns with regard to any content shared in its name or at its events, and aims to respond fairly and swiftly to any concerns raised.

Respect and Equity

• NoWEM celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a culture of compassionate inclusivity at all levels and across geographical, specialty and hierarchical lines.

• NoWEM values respect and empathy in all of our interactions

• NoWEM opposes discrimination and exclusion on the basis of race, religious belief, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

• NoWEM strives for equity and the elimination of discrimination 

Future

NoWEM has local groups operating in multiple regions across Australasia. If you are looking to connect with your local group, or are interested in building a network in your area please contact us, we would love to support you!

NoWEM’s founding members

Dr. Rhys Ross-Browne

Rhys is an Emergency Physician from the South Coast of NSW, who works at Campbelltown Hospital and teaches at Western Sydney University. Rhys’ interests include sustainable access to healthcare, clinical leadership and equity & diversity. A new Dad to 3 young children, Rhys is rapidly developing skills in toddler-wrangling and navigating the parks and playgrounds of Sydney’s inner west on bike, scooter and foot. In his spare time he co-directs a media production company with his partner, creating films that promote progressive social change.

Dr. Helen Rhodes

Originally from the UK, Helen is an Emergency Physician working at Campbelltown Hospital. She is passionate about medical education, improving doctor welfare and advancing palliative and terminal care for patients attending the ED in their last phase of life. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring her adopted country, cooking for friends and spending as much time as possible in and around the ocean.

DR Shantha Raghwan

Shani is an Emergency Physician working at Logan Hospital in Brisbane. Since medical school she has had an interest in gender equity in medicine and finding the path to achieve it. In particular, she has a keen interest in addressing intersectional and structural bias in medicine. She organised and moderated the NoWEM webinar ‘Antiracism in Emergency Medicine’ and organised a workshop on Equity in the Emergency Department for the ACEM 2020 ASM. She is also an executive committee member of ACEM’s Advancing Women in Emergency section. 

Apart from fighting the patriarchy, Shani spends her free time as an amateur potter, painting and spending time with her adorable nephews, her sister and mum (who often join her at NoWEM SEQ events) and connecting with family and friends.

Dr. Ellen Meyns

Ellen Meyns is a Belgian emergency physician working at Campbelltown and Prince Of Wales Hospitals. She is a mum of three rugrats as well as an unfiltered feminist. She is working hard on overcoming her imposter syndrome while passionately trying to clear the path for junior doctors towards a Utopia of Connection, Egalitarianism, Empowerment, and Kindness (CEEK) in healthcare. She does this through education and simulation and by chairing the Wellbeing Committee. In her free time she plays with the rugrats, bonds with other unfiltered feminists and hangs with her unfiltered friends.