WIM 2010 Conference  |  Previous Conferences

The History of the Lesbian Physicians Conference

In 1984, San Francisco lesbian physicians Lesley Anderson and Patty Robertson organized the first conference for Lesbians Doctors: The "Women in Medicine Conference", or "WIM".

Our first Conference took place in Asilomar, on the Monterey Peninsula in California. An announcement in the American Medical News (in an article by Sari Staver), drew 24 lesbian physicians from across the United States and Canada.

The Women in Medicine Conference, which has taken place every year from 1984 to present, has aspired to include the following unique qualities in all of our meetings:

• High Quality Continuing Medical Education, often provided by women who are leaders in their fields

• A cross section of physician specialties in our programs that allows for broader, more cross specialty collaboration that is not found at most specialty conferences

• A retreat format that welcomes Lesbian physicians, their significant others, and their children

• Hotel accommodations with communal meals for physicians and their families

• Inclusion of significant others of physicians as conference participants

• High quality, on site child care

• Small groups throughout the conference to increase opportunities for connections with other attendees

• A scholarship program for Lesbian medical students who would otherwise be unable to attend

• A formal mentoring program pairing medical students with attendings in practice and academia

Our annual meetings have moved around the country to such lovely places as Hawaii, Provincetown, New Orleans, Orcas Island, and Pacific Grove; please join us in seeing old friends, meeting new friends, and having a wonderful time at our very special conference.