Sophia Hai, Medical Student & Dr. Gloria Wu

Oct 3, 2024

Dr. Gloria Wu and pre-med student Sophia High engaged in a discussion about women's health and the implications of health policy, particularly in light of the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade. Sophia, president of the pre-med division at AMWA, expressed her concerns about how these political changes are shaping the medical landscape for aspiring physicians. She noted that many pre-med students, especially women, are apprehensive about pursuing careers in fields like gynecology due to potential repercussions from stringent abortion laws, particularly in conservative states like Florida. This environment is discouraging young women from entering medicine, further exacerbated by declining interest in obstetrics and gynecology programs.

Sophia highlighted a significant gap in medical education regarding women's health issues, emphasizing that critical topics such as hormone differences and symptoms specific to female patients are often overlooked in pre-med curricula. Her experiences as an EMT revealed a lack of comprehensive education on how women's medical presentations differ from men's, stressing the need for greater awareness and training. The conversation underscored the urgent need for reform in medical education to ensure that future healthcare providers are well-equipped to address women's health concerns, especially in a climate that threatens reproductive rights and healthcare access.