National Women Physician Day

National Women Physicians Day is an annual observance held on February 3rd that honors the pioneering achievements and ongoing contributions of female physicians in the field of healthcare. It commemorates the trailblazing spirit of Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, who became the first American woman to earn a medical degree in 1849, paving the way for countless female doctors to follow.

Quick Facts

When is it?: February 3rd
Tagged as: A celebration of women in medicine
What’s the hashtag?: #IAmBlackwell and #NWPD
When was it founded?: 2016
Who founded it?: The Physician Moms Group

History of National Women Physicians Day

National Women Physicians Day was established to honor Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell’s legacy and the generations of women physicians who followed in her footsteps. Dr. Blackwell faced numerous obstacles, including rejection from 29 colleges before finally being admitted to a small New York college when her application was put to a vote among the all-male student body, who took the request as a joke. Despite this, she graduated first in her class and went on to make significant contributions to medicine.

The day acknowledges the vital roles that female physicians play in patient care, medical research, and leadership within the healthcare field. Women doctors have made remarkable strides in various medical specialties, enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Timeline

1849: Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree
1864: Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler becomes the first African American woman to earn a medical degree in the US
1889: Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte becomes the first Native American woman physician in the US
2016: National Women Physicians Day is established by the Physician Moms Group
2017: For the first time in history, women made up more than half of all those in medical schools
2024: Women continue to make significant contributions to medicine, though they still face challenges including pay gaps

Dates by Next Year (2025 to 2030)

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	February 3	Monday
2026	February 3	Tuesday
2027	February 3	Wednesday
2028	February 3	Thursday
2029	February 3	Saturday
2030	February 3	Sunday

How National Women Physicians Day is Observed

People celebrate this day by thanking female physicians for their work and dedication. Many share stories and history of women doctors on social media using the hashtags #NationalWomenPhysiciansDay or #IAmBlackwell. Healthcare institutions often hold special events to honor their female physicians, while some people choose to learn more about pioneering women in medicine or watch shows featuring strong female doctor characters.

Fun Facts About Women Physicians

Female doctors tend to spend more time with patients than male doctors
Women made up more than half of medical school enrollees in 2017 for the first time in U.S. history
One-third of U.S. physicians are female
Female physicians tend to succeed more often than male doctors at persuading patients to change their lifestyle
A 2017 Harvard study showed that patients cared for by women doctors have better health outcomes, with lower readmittance and mortality rates

Quiz

Who was the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States?
On what date is National Women Physicians Day celebrated?
What percentage of U.S. physicians are female?
In what year did women first make up more than half of medical school enrollees?

(Answers: 1. Elizabeth Blackwell, 2. February 3rd, 3. One-third, 4. 2017)

FAQs

Why is National Women Physicians Day celebrated on February 3rd?
February 3rd marks the birthday of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States in 1849.

How has the representation of women in medicine changed over time?
While women were once barred from medical education, they now make up more than half of medical school enrollees. However, they still represent only about one-third of practicing physicians and face challenges including pay gaps.

What challenges do women physicians still face today?
Despite progress, women physicians still face challenges including a significant gender pay gap (27.7% in 2017), underrepresentation in medical leadership positions, and work-life balance issues.

Importance of National Women Physicians Day

National Women Physicians Day brings attention to discrimination in the medical field, which has historically been dominated by men. It celebrates women’s contributions to medicine and highlights the progress made toward gender equality in healthcare. The day also serves as a reminder of the work still needed to ensure inclusivity and gender equity in the field.

By building young women’s confidence in their future potential, we can cultivate a society that compensates and rewards women and men based on their competence, regardless of their gender.