Kelsey Martin and Judith Gasson are recognized during Women's History Month

Dear Faculty and Staff:

March is Women’s History Month, and we take this opportunity to recognize the many women who shattered glass ceilings to push forward the fields of medicine, science and technology.

“Because of the courage of so many bold women who dared to transcend preconceived expectations and prove they were capable of doing all that a man could do and more, advances were made, discoveries were revealed, barriers were broken, and progress triumphed,” said President Barack Obama in a 2016 proclamation. “During Women’s History Month, we remember the trailblazers of the past, including the women who are not recorded in our history books, and we honor their legacies by carrying forward the valuable lessons learned from the powerful examples they set.”

We at the David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA Health join in this national commemoration, celebrating the unwavering determination and achievements of American women, who through their work have set an inspirational example. We are proud to note that four members of the David Geffen School of Medicine were recipients of the 2015 INSIGHT into Diversity 100 Inspiring Women in STEM Award, which honors women who work to make a difference in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Our congratulations and thanks to Marie-Francoise Chesselet, MD, PhD; Judith Gasson, PhD; Kelsey C. Martin, MD, PhD; and Sherie L. Morrison, PhD. The award acknowledges women “who inspire and encourage a new generation of young women to consider careers in STEM,” through mentoring, teaching, research and other programming.

In August 2015, Dr. Martin was also named Interim Dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine and, in January, Johnese Spisso, MPA, joined UCLA as President of UCLA Health, CEO of UCLA Hospital System, and Associate Vice Chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences – marking the first time these positions have been held by women.

In addition, we invite you to learn about Women in Science and Doctors of Medicine (WiSDoM), a group that promotes gender equity and fosters communication, mentorship and career advancement. To find out more about WiSDoM, and keep updated on upcoming lectures and mixers, click here.

We are proud to celebrate all the women on our faculty and staff who work on a daily basis to further advance their respective fields while inspiring the nation’s next generation of women. You can read some of their stories here.

Sincerely,