Prof Joanna Wardlaw describes why Marie Curie, was her inspiration and nomination for Women in Medicine. Women in Medicine Women in medicine is a new project, coordinated by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), showcasing leading clinicians and the women from the history of medicine who have inspired them. The project, brings together the leading medical bodies in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland to profile 52 of the most influential clinicians from the past and present. The timing of Women in medicine is significant as 2017 is the centenary of the Medical Women’s Federation, and also the first time in history that the majority of the world-renowned medical royal colleges have been led by women. Exhibition From 3 October 2017 to 19 January 2018, the RCP is hosting an exhibition of specially commissioned photographic portraits honouring these contemporary and historical medical figures. Among the historical women featured are internationally acclaimed individuals such as Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Britain’s first formally qualified and recognised female doctor; Dame Sheila Sherlock, the prime mover in the establishment of liver disease as a specialty and Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the modern hospice movement. Also included in the list is our Professor Joanna Wardlaw, an international expert in brain blood vessel diseases and brain imaging and Dr Sophia Jex-Blake, founder of the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women. Walking tours plus the exhibition Tours during October 2017 will include an escorted visit to the new exhibition ‘Women and medicine: a celebration’ at the Royal College of Physicians. This display of specially-commissioned portraits of today’s leading female clinicians links them with them with women from the history of medicine who have inspired them. Useful |Links Women and medicine Royal College of Physicians Professor Joanna Wardlaw Publication date 04 Oct, 2017