December 2025 Women in Psychiatry Committee Report

The Women in Psychiatry Committee serves as a statewide community for women psychiatrists who seek connection, mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy. Co-chaired by Katiuska Ramirez, MD, Haley Euting, MD, and Samina Mahesar, MD, MCRC, the committee aims to elevate the professional experiences of women across all practice settings and to promote gender equity, visibility, and opportunities for advancement within the field.

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 to 2026 academic year was held as a joint session with the MPS C-L Psychiatry Committee on October 22. The session featured a panel discussion with Dr. Josh Leo (BIDMC), Dr. Polina Teslyar (Brigham and Women’s Hospital), Dr. Ilana Braun (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), and Dr. Kaila Rudolph (Boston Medical Center). They offered reflections 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. Their insights highlighted the importance of mentorship, community, and intentional career design. They spoke candidly about navigating role transitions, balancing responsibilities in complex healthcare systems, and sustaining passion through collaboration and connection.

This meeting represented 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 storytelling, case discussions, mentorship, and sessions focused on career development, negotiation, and advocacy.

The next Women in Psychiatry Committee meeting is scheduled for January 2026. We welcome all women within MPS who are seeking connection, inspiration, and a community dedicated to advancing the impact and visibility of women in the field. We look forward to an enriching and collaborative year ahead.

If you would like to join our 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