2025 Women in Academic Medicine: People who Look to Us for Support (WAM PLUS) Summit
The 2025 Women in Academic Medicine: People who Look to Us for Support (WAM PLUS) summit is hosted by the Culture and Inclusion portfolio in the Department of Medicine (DoM).
Scheduled for November 11, 2025, the summit is an opportunity for all of us to come together and create a space for women and their allies in the DoM and beyond to share experiences, gain valuable skills, network and advocate for the development of strong women faculty members and leaders in Academic Medicine.
The 2025 WAM PLUS summit will host morning sessions exclusive for faculty who self-identify as women. We will welcome faculty members of all genders* to the afternoon sessions. Fellows are also invited to the afternoon part of the summit.
We look forward to being together in-person on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 08:45 to 17:30.
*The Department of Medicine (DoM) recognizes and affirms the identities of all individuals, including transgender and gender diverse persons. The DoM is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for people of all gender identities and gender expressions.
Summit Objectives:
- Foster dialogue and promote collaborative strategies to celebrate, support and learn from women+ colleagues and leaders in academia (in the department and beyond).
- Explore gender inclusive practices within the medical education system.
- Strategize around work-life integration.
- Promote a culture of allyship and advocacy by developing approaches to address mistreatments and microaggressions at an individual and department level.
Nov 11, 2025 | 8:45 – 17:30 | MaRS Auditorium (101 College St, Toronto, ON)
| 08:15 - 8:45 |
Registration (for faculty who self-identify as women) |
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8:45 - 9:00 |
Opening & Welcome: Umberin Najeeb & Jennie Johnstone Remarks by Chair: Moira Kapral |
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9:00 - 10:30 |
Session 1: Inclusive Leadership and EDI in the current times Session Facilitators: Umberin Najeeb & Jennie Johnstone Panelists: Patricia Houston, Susanna Mak, Majola Omole, Sharon Strauss, Laura Targownik |
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10:30 - 10:45 |
Break |
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10:45 - 11:00 |
Remembrance Day Acknowledgement: Joan Saary |
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11:00 - 11:05 |
Moment of Silence |
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11:05 - 11:10 |
Getting Ready for Workshops |
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11:10 - 12:40 |
Two Concurrent Workshops (2A and 2B) |
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Session 2A: A Framework for Your Great Life Speaker: Dawn Lim (Room CR-3) |
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Session 2B: Resilience & Renewal: Thriving as Mid-Late Career Women in Academic Medicine Speaker: Maja Djikic (MaRS Auditorium) |
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12:40 - 13:25 |
Lunch + Networking Welcome to EVERYONE (All Genders, Faculty and Fellows) |
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13:25 - 14:55 |
Session 3: Financial Planning & Academia Facilitators: Esther Bui & Mali Worme Speakers: Stephanie Zhou and Mark Soth Panelists: Tehmina Ahmad, Chris Chan, Mirielle Norris, Mark Soth, Stephanie Zhou |
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14:55 - 15:10 |
Break |
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15:10 - 16:40 |
Session 4: Addressing Microaggression & Allyship Facilitators: Umberin Najeeb & Geeta Mehta Panelists: Arno Kumagai, Chase McMurren, Laura Snell, Sophie Soklaridis, Modupe Tunde-Byass |
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16:40 - 16:50 |
Closing Remarks: WAM PLUS Reflections Umberin Najeeb & Jennie Johnstone |
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16:50 - 17:30 |
Networking + End |
Click here for bios of the facilitators, speakers, and panelists.
