January 2026 Women in Psychiatry Committee Report 

The Women in Psychiatry Committee continues to serve as a statewide community for women psychiatrists seeking connection, mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy. Co-chaired by Drs. Katiuska Ramirez, Haley Euting, and Samina Mahesar, who assumed leadership of the committee in September 2025, the committee is focused on advancing gender equity, increasing visibility, and supporting women across all practice settings and career stages. 

Our mission is to create a supportive environment where women in psychiatry can share experiences, develop leadership skills, explore scholarly and clinical interests, and build networks that strengthen their careers and communities. The committee is committed to fostering representation, inclusion, and professional growth across the many roles women hold in psychiatry. 

The first meeting of the 2025-2026 academic year was held virtually on October 22, 2025, as a joint session with the MPS C-L Psychiatry Committee. The session featured a panel discussion with Dr. Josh Leo (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center), Dr. Polina Teslyar (Brigham and Women’s Hospital), Dr. Ilana Braun (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), and Dr. Kaila Rudolph (Boston Medical Center). Panelists reflected on what first drew them to C-L psychiatry, how they have built meaningful careers, and how they continue to integrate academic, clinical, and leadership roles.  

This meeting marked an energizing start to the year and underscored the committee’s dedication to supporting women psychiatrists as they pursue leadership, scholarly engagement, and clinical excellence. Ideas generated during the session will help shape programming for the coming year, including opportunities for mentorship, sponsorship, storytelling, case discussions, and sessions focused on career development, negotiation, and advocacy. 

Our next meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, January 14, from 7-8 pm. 

The meeting will focus on mentorship and sponsorship and will feature Dr. Huma Farid, an obstetrician-gynecologist at BIDMC, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Division Chief of General OB/GYN, and Director of the BIDMC Academy. Dr. Farid’s talk will highlight practical strategies for women, address challenges uniquely faced by women in academic medicine, and be followed by facilitated discussion and Q&A. 

We welcome all women within MPS who are seeking connection, guidance, and a collaborative space to learn and lead together. We look forward to an enriching and collaborative year ahead. 

If you would like to join the committee, please contact Mayuri Patel at [email protected]. 

Warmly, 

Katiuska Ramirez, MD
Co-Chair, MPS Women in Psychiatry Committee
Co-Chair, MPS C-L Psychiatry Committee
Associate Director, C-L Psychiatry Service, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Associate Program Director, BIDMC & VA Boston C-L Psychiatry Fellowship
 
Haley Anna Euting, MD
Co-Chair, MPS Women in Psychiatry Committee
Attending Psychiatrist, Cambridge Health Alliance 

Samina Mahesar, MD, MCRC
Co-Chair, MPS Women in Psychiatry Committee
Clinical Fellow in Reproductive Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital