I am a pediatric hospitalist at a free-standing children’s hospital. I have the privilege of caring for a diverse patient population in various clinical settings throughout our hospital in the acute care, intermediate care and cardiac care units. It is an outstanding teaching environment and I get to learn alongside medical students, residents and fellows.

We can be allies in a number of ways. First and foremost, we should listen to women. We should make time and be willing to enter the space where conversations and research on gender equity are happening. We should educate ourselves in order to recognize and understand the magnitude of the problem of gender inequity and how it negatively impacts everyone. On an institutional level, men should use their inherent power to advocate for policies eliminating gender disparities in pay and creating equitable leave policies. On an individual basis, men should seek to sponsor, recognize, reward and promote the work of women in their divisions and departments. Men should avoid being passive bystanders and instead actively work to establish a safe work environment free of harassment and misogyny.

Listening to and believing women colleagues when they share their experiences of inequity. Using my position of leadership to advocate for actionable change.

Single malt scotch, the good stuff.