College of Medicine

Women in Leadership 2021

March 8 is recognized as International Women’s Day, and the theme for 2021 is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world." Taking our cue on that theme, we are profiling women in leadership at the College of Medicine, selecting from a variety of positions including learners, staff, faculty, and senior administration. We found we had a lot of women leaders to choose from, which was no easy task, but a good problem to have.

We recognize that Indigenous and racialized women are held back to an even greater degree in reaching post-secondary leadership positions. While recruitment strategies are important, even more crucial is developing the culture of the College of Medicine so it is a place we are all welcome to be, work, and learn, to the greatest of our abilities. We continue to work on that through various initiatives through the portfolios of Equity Diversity, and Inclusion, the Division of Social Accountability, and the Indigenous Health Committee, as well as unit-specific activities.

Women in Leadership: Mahasti Khakpour

As a postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Mahasti Khakpour (PhD) talks about her personal experience with gender bias and discrimination and why she made it her mission to fight and overcome gender-based barriers.

Women in Leadership: Karen Ho

In her experience as the chief resident of the Internal Medicine program at the Regina campus, Dr. Karen Ho (MD) talks about the important qualities within a leader, and how those can be used to build respect.

Women in Leadership: Teresa Paslawski

Although School of Rehabilitation Science associate dean Dr. Teresa Paslawski (PhD) did not initially consider a path to leadership for herself, she soon discovered she enjoyed doing the work of a leader.

Women in Leadership: Una Goncin

As president of the College of Medicine Graduate Student Society, PhD student Una Goncin talks about the importance of effective communication in order to be heard.

Women in Leadership: Manuela Valle-Castro

As the director of the Division of Social Accountability, Dr. Manuela Valle-Castro (PhD) talks about overcoming gender roles in Chile, and overcoming barriers as a working parent in Canada.

Women in Leadership: Valerie Verge

As director of the Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, Dr. Valerie Verge (PhD) reflects on the opportunities she received and her determination to create an environment of mutual respect.

Women in Leadership: Helen Chang

As a key administrative leader in Regina, Dr. Helen Chang (MD) describes how COVID-19 has impacted the workplace, and the importance of supporting individuals with respect.

Women in Leadership: Marilyn Baetz

Before she became vice-dean of faculty engagement, Dr. Marilyn Baetz (MD) was encouraged by other women in her department to apply for her biggest move to leadership — department head.

Women in Leadership: Nafisa Absher

Third-year medical student Nafisa Absher, and co-founder/co-president of the Black Medical Students' Association talks about her passion for social justice and health equity for marginalized communities.

Women in Leadership at the College of Medicine

March 8 is recognized as International Women’s Day, and the theme for 2021 is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world."