An update from the executive
Welcome to the very first AWE newsletter.
This is your space to pause, connect, celebrate, reflect, and occasionally feel fired up. Whether you’re reading on your break, on the commute home, or saving it for a quieter moment, we’re glad you’re here.
AWE exists to support, amplify and advocate for women across all stages and spaces of emergency medicine. Our work spans leadership, research, wellness, equity, education and advocacy, because careers are complex and rarely fit neatly into one lane.
Last year’s ASM brought energy and clarity, with conversations that truly mattered. Jocelyn’s powerful reflection on neurodivergence in medicine and Emma’s compelling call to action on equity and excellence set the tone, while the ASM Leadership Workshop was a standout, generating thoughtful discussion and strong momentum for values-driven, inclusive leadership.
Looking ahead to 2026, our priorities include equity in recognition and leadership, sustainable EM careers, making invisible work visible, and creating safer, more inclusive professional environments.
This newsletter is one way we stay connected as a community. Expect celebration, honest conversations, practical resources and opportunities to contribute.
Submit something, nominate someone, share an idea. If you’ve ever thought 'someone should…', that someone can be you!
– Your 2026 executive
Member spotlight: Women leading the way
We’re launching a regular Member Spotlight to celebrate the women who are shaping emergency medicine, in subtle and loud ways.
This section focuses on visibility, role modelling, and sharing the real stories behind success. Not just titles, but the challenges navigated, the pivots taken, and the lessons learned along the way.
Each spotlight will include:
- Current role
- Career highlights
- A challenge overcome
- One piece of advice for junior women
Nominations now open.
You can nominate yourself or someone else. Quiet achievers very welcome.
Member spotlight: Shantha Raghwan
Our first featured member is Dr Shantha Raghwan, who is a senior emergency physician based in Queensland. Shantha is the keynote speaker at the Aotearoa New Zealand Emergency Medicine Conference on March 23rd- 25th, 2026.
She is a leader driven by a belief that the future of Emergency Medicine must be both excellent and humane. With deep experience in workforce strategy, governance, and advocacy, she is known for speaking candidly about power, purpose, and the courage it takes to create inclusive, sustainable workplaces. Energetic, reflective, and unapologetically values-led, Shantha invites audiences to lift their gaze toward bright horizons — where listening is leadership, wellbeing is core business, and the next generation of Emergency Care is shaped with intention and hope.
This conference promises strong clinical content alongside thoughtful discussions on leadership, equity and the future of emergency medicine. Shantha’s voice will be one to watch.
I’ve asked Shanta to reflect on five questions I often ask admirable women. Here are her thoughts.
- A belief medicine needs to catch up to?
That excellence in medicine does not have to be devoid of compassion – in fact, it requires it!
- Something you no longer apologise for?
Making the room uncomfortable when someone makes sexist, racist and otherwise prejudiced and unkind jokes and comments.
- A form of leadership that is underrated?
Quiet, calm and steady. No-one actually thrives (including the patient) in a resus with a barking commander.
- A practice you think should be standard but isn’t (yet)?
Formal, integrated leadership and management training for all DEMs, DDEMs and DEMTS (to start with!).
- One word for the kind of medicine you’re working towards?
Can I have 2? Compassionate and Courageous!
And, of course, we had to mention the 2025.2 Buchanan Prize Winners:
Congratulations to Dr Lorna Cronin, Dr Simoné Visagie and Dr Morgan Sykes. Your work continues to set the standard!
Academic, speaking and career opportunities
There are opportunities open right now across research, leadership and professional development.
A Call for Abstracts to present at the ACEM ASM 2026 is now open – Submit your abstract here.
If imposter syndrome is whispering, let this newsletter be louder. Your voice belongs in these spaces.
Research and publications
Best Trainee Paper – ACEM ASM 2025
Dr Hannah Pennicott
Biological sex disparity in time to analgesia in patients presenting with abdominal pain in the Emergency Department
This work highlights how gender bias can manifest in subtle yet meaningful ways in everyday clinical care. A powerful reminder that data matters, and that equity work belongs in mainstream emergency medicine research.
Textbook of Emergency Medicine, 6th edition
Congratulations to AWE’s Dr Kim Hansen, part of the editorial team, as well as the AWE members who contributed to the publication of this important foundational textbook.
The ‘Second Shift’ in Emergency Medicine: Strengths and Barriers of the Gendered Double Burden
Dr Jennifer Jamieson, Dr Zoe Ling, Dr Krupa Mehta and Dr Jocelyn Howell
Women in emergency medicine often carry a “second shift” of unpaid domestic and caregiving work, which can limit career progression and contribute to higher attrition. Reframed through a strengths-based lens, this experience can also foster empathetic, inclusive leadership and drive more equitable and innovative ED teams.
We are keen to highlight:
- New publications
- Works in progress seeking collaborators
- Grant successes
- Writing accountability groups
Send through anything you’d like the community to know about.
Wellness and sustainability
Emergency medicine is meaningful, but it’s also demanding. Sustainability isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Grounding on shift
The 5-4-3-2-1 senses technique remains a favourite. It’s quick, discreet, and works in the middle of a busy department. Read more here.
Recommended reading:
Wellness and sustainability
Events
Earlier this month, ACEM ran a complimentary International Women's Day alongside AWE. This years theme was Balance the Scales, you can learn more about this via the IWD website.
View the 2025 and 2026 webinar recordings below:
Upcoming
Watch out for the launch of the equity champions in April, with a webinar on 15 April that focuses on inclusion. We will have discussions on Manaaki Mana, LGBTQI+, neurodivergence, departments with excellent initiatives for international medical graduates and indigenous patient care, as well as neurodivergence and racism.
Community board
This is your noticeboard.
We welcome:
- Childcare resources
- Member announcements (births, promotions, awards)
- Recipe swaps
Book review
Not Quite White in the Head
Melissa Lucashenko
'A compelling essay collection exploring identity, violence, power and survival. Sinking Below Sight is particularly confronting and relevant for those engaging in conversations around trauma, advocacy and care.'
– Tahnee Dunlop, Warrnambool, VIC
In the next newsletter
Submissions are now open for:
- New publications
- Book or article reviews
- Poetry
- Wellness reflections and practises
- Member spotlights
- What brings you joy
This newsletter is just beginning. Let’s shape it together.
Contact Haddy via email to contribute.