Corewell Health’s third annual Southwest Michigan Women in Medicine Symposium attracted more than 200 women – a company record for attendance.
The event this week brought together women from all departments of Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan, including clinical leaders, physicians and nurses, administrative team members, medical residents and students.
Tina Freese Decker, President & CEO, Corewell Health, kicked off the event with opening remarks, which highlighted the importance of a growth mindset and embracing possibility as a path to success. Attendees participated in a panel discussion, facilitated by Natalie Baggio, president of Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan. The panel focused on sharing wisdom and giving insight into past experiences to foster a culture of mentorship.
“By bringing together women in medicine, we showed that our strength lies in our shared voice,” said Natalie Baggio, president, Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan. “This event’s panel discussion was a perfect example of our commitment to supporting each other. I truly believe that by sharing our experiences and collective knowledge, we are building a more unified and powerful workforce.”
The agenda also featured a presentation by Susan Enright, DO MACOI, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, which covered the history of women in medicine, key statistics and challenges for women and insights on how to stay resilient in the health care field.
According to Dr. Enright and reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), women make up 67% of the medical workforce, while men make up 33%. Despite this, women hold a small minority of leadership positions. This gender disparity highlights the critical need for initiatives and events that promote equity and professional development.
At the event, a powerful message was shared: While statistics may show challenges for women in health care, mentorship is the key to creating meaningful change. By developing relationships and sharing knowledge in the workplace, women can uplift and advance one another within the industry.
“When women in medicine come together, we create space to learn from one another’s journeys, sharing wisdom and encouragement. Through collaboration, we cultivate connection, exchange knowledge and elevate one another – allowing our collective strength to shape a brighter future for the communities that we serve,” Baggio said.
To learn more about career opportunities at Corewell Health, visit https://careers.corewellhealth.org/us/en/home.
Tina Freese Decker, Corewell CEO Natalie Baggio, Corewell SW Michigan President
About Corewell Health
Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ people—including more than 12,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,500 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members.
