As we reach the halfway mark of 2025, I feel so grateful for what we’ve achieved together. It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside our passionate, kind, and driven committee.
Our Vision for 2025
Enhancing Membership Value and Accessibility
VMWS remains the longest-running association supporting women medical professionals and students. Did you know student membership is completely free? We’re committed to keeping it that way—ensuring that every student, regardless of background, can access the professional development, event recordings, member discounts, and supportive networks we offer.
Delivering Impactful Events
We’re focused on events that truly support our members—whether it’s through career guidance, leadership development, or honest conversations about life in medicine. Your feedback guides our planning, so please continue sharing your thoughts through polls and surveys. We love hearing from you!
Strengthening Advocacy and Collaboration
Our partnerships with the AMA, AFMW, MWIA, NCWV, and Women’s Health Victoria continue to grow, amplifying our advocacy work in gender equity, leadership, and flexible work in healthcare. A key initiative we’re proud of is the Jobshare Database, helping make flexible work a reality for more doctors across Victoria.
Highlights So Far
Ask Me Anything: Specialty Training (12th April 2025)
Our first event of the year had around 50 attendees engaging in meaningful, open conversations with speakers across a range of specialties. The roundtable format was a highlight—creating a warm and welcoming space to ask questions and share insights. We’re so grateful to our speakers and attendees who made this such a supportive and empowering event.
VMWS Women in Leadership Scholarship 2025
We’re proud to have offered two fully funded places in the Monash University Women in Leadership Program. This year, we introduced a fairer and more transparent selection process with two application streams (one for a medical student to PGY2, and one for a PGY3+ doctor). All applications were anonymised and reviewed through a blinded committee vote. We were blown away by the quality and passion of the 15 applications received.
Congratulations to:
- Melanie Wade, Medical Student (Deakin University)
- Dr Ashleigh McLean, Consultant Paediatrician
We can’t wait to share their reflections later this year!
Membership Growth
We’ve welcomed 68 new members so far in 2025. Thank you for joining us—your presence strengthens our community more than you know.
In Memoriam
We were saddened by the passing of Dr Rosalind (Ros) Terry on 31 January 2025. A long-time VMWS member and former Senior Rep, Ros was an inspiration to many, and her dedication to advancing women in medicine will not be forgotten. I feel honoured to have met her at our 2024 AGM.
Looking Ahead
There’s so much more in store for the rest of 2025:
- Prescribing Parenthood – Thursday 26 June 2025
A supportive event exploring family planning and how to navigate these conversations throughout your medical career. - The Hospital Hustle: Preparing for Your Internship – September 2025
Tailored for final-year medical students, this practical event will help you transition confidently into your internship year. - Jobshare Database Research and Expansion
We’re currently reviewing how the database can be improved and expanded—stay tuned for updates and ways to contribute. - New Partnership with Jean Hailes
We’re excited to collaborate with Jean Hailes to deliver more initiatives focused on women’s health and wellbeing. - Mentorship Program (Launching Soon!)
We’re thrilled to be in the process of launching a VMWS Member Mentor Program—designed to foster connection, support, and learning across all stages of medical careers. Whether you’re a student, intern, registrar, or consultant, this program will offer a meaningful way to give and receive mentorship within our community. Stay tuned! - Sponsorship Opportunities (TBC)
We’re actively working to secure sponsorships to continue growing our community. If you or your organisation would like to sponsor or collaborate, please get in touch at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you!
Stay Connected
Thank you to all our members, speakers, mentors, and supporters. This community is stronger because of you. If you have any ideas, feedback, or would like to be more involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Kind Regards,
Dr Jessie Zhou
President, Victorian Medical Women’s Society (2025)
MD, BPharm(Hons), GCertClinUS
VMWS acknowledges the history, culture and diversity of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and recognises their continuing connection to Country – to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and acknowledge their Elders past, present and emerging.
