International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in various fields, including medicine. It's an opportunity to honor the groundbreaking work of the female doctors who have paved the way for the next generation. Women in medicine have faced countless obstacles throughout history, but despite these challenges, they have risen to the occasion and made significant strides in the field. By recognising and celebrating inspirational female doctors, we not only honor their achievements but also inspire future generations of women to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in medicine and beyond. On this International Women's Day, (in no particular order) we salute and celebrate the incredible female doctors who continue to inspire us and make a positive impact on the world.

Dr Skye Kinder

Skye is an inspirational advocate for rural and marginalised patients and their communities.

With a background in mental health, she combines her clinical work with writing and speaking, earning her recognition as an award-winning health commentator.

Skye was named to Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 for social impact across the Asia Pacific region, showcasing her dedication and impact in the field. Her advocacy work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named the 2019 Victorian Young Australian of the Year, one of the AFR's 100 Women of Influence in 2020, and Victoria's Junior Doctor of the Year in 2017. These awards recognise her tireless efforts to improve the health of people in rural and regional communities.

Growing up in a lower socio-economic background, Dr Kinder has overcome adversity to become the positive role model and advocate she is today. Her dedication to making a difference in the lives of marginalised groups serves as an inspiration to us all.

Dr Mariam Chaalan

Mariam is a dedicated family doctor, clinical researcher, and mother to rainbow twin boys. With a personal experience of sexism and burnout within the profession, she has a strong passion for caring for women and young families. Committed to evidence-based preventative medicine, she strives to provide comprehensive, holistic care to all her patients.

On top of her clinical work, Dr Chaalan leverages her social media platform (@ask.the.dr) to share up-to-date, evidence-based medical information with the online community. She is dedicated to making accurate and accessible health information available to everyone, furthering her mission of providing the best possible care to her patients.

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Dr Nina Su

Nina is a dedicated Paediatric Medicine trainee practicing in Tāmaki Makarau, Auckland.

With a strong commitment to equity and a passion for serving the most vulnerable individuals, she has made this a core driver of her work.

In addition to her clinical practice, Nina hosts the "Revolving Door Syndrome" podcast. Each episode focuses on the challenges faced by everyday New Zealanders in the areas of health, education, and justice. Through this platform, she strives to shed light on these critical issues and drive positive change.

This year she will be running for MP in the Epsom Electorate for the Opportunities Party.

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Dr Preeya Alexander

Preeya is a highly accomplished General Practitioner based in Melbourne. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Her areas of expertise include women's health, children's health, preconception care, and preventative medicine. Her efforts in this area have earned her recognition, including the 2015 Richard Clinton Gutch Medal for the highest overall score in general practice exams in Victoria.

Aside from her clinical work, Preeya is passionate about educating the public on accurate health information. With over 74K followers on social media, she uses her platform to dispel health misinformation and make complex medical topics accessible to everyone.

She is a sought-after expert in the media, appearing on Sunrise, hosting two episodes of Catalyst on ABC, and appearing regularly on The Drum. She also contributes to online publications such as Mamamia, balancing her passion for medicine with her role as an educator and influencer.

When not working, she is a proud mother of two and enjoys gardening, cooking, and travelling, she is also fluent in Hindi. She is the author of the children's book "Rainbow Plate" and soon to be released (May 2023) "Eat Sleep Play Love" - all the medical titbits parents need for the first 2 years of their child's life.

Dr Tahnee Bridson

Tahnee's upbringing in a remote town in Far North Queensland exposed her to the difficulties of accessing medical care in rural areas. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. During her medical studies, one of Tahnee's mentors took their own life, prompting her to try and help other healthcare professionals and medical students who might be silently suffering from similar issues.

Now an advocate for mental health and wellbeing, Tahnee is  the founder of Hand-n-Hand Peer Support, which is a free and confidential peer support network for health workers in Australia and in New Zealand. She was recently awarded the 2022 Queensland Young Australian of the year and featured on Forbes 30 Under 30.

Dr Kirby White

Dr Kirby White is a remarkable Australian physician and inventor who practices as a General Practitioner in Bendigo. Her contributions to the medical community during the COVID-19 pandemic earned her recognition as Victoria's "Local Hero" and a nominee for the 2021 Australian of the Year awards. To honor her efforts, Mattel even created a "Dr. Kirby White" Barbie doll.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Kirby recognised the impending shortage of disposable gowns and quickly took action. She launched the initiative "Gowns for Doctors" and raised over $40,000 through crowdfunding to create reusable, launderable hospital gowns. With the help of commercial textile companies and volunteers, she was able to produce thousands of gowns, providing essential protective gear for healthcare workers.

Dr Vanessa Sammons

Dr Vanessa Sammons is a highly skilled Neurosurgeon based in Australia, with a focus on Peripheral Nerve Surgery. She graduated with honors from the University of Sydney and was awarded with the Hinder Memorial Prize for Surgery.

Following her Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Vanessa continued her education at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Canada, where she received subspecialty training in Peripheral Nerve Surgery under the mentorship of the world-renowned Dr Rajiv Midha.

As a member of several professional organisations, including the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, the Women in Surgery Section of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the International Association of Women Surgeons, the American Society of Peripheral Nerve, and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Vanessa is dedicated to advancing her field and sharing her knowledge with others.

Aside from her surgical practice, Vanessa is a mother of two, a dancer, a yoga teacher, and a travel enthusiast.

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International Women's Day is a day for celebrating the success of females around the globe. Over the last year Medworld has been lucky enough to tell the stories of exceptional female physicians from all over the globe who are making this world a better place and inspiring future generations.