Jan Brandes, MD, MS

"As we move past medical school and residency, we need to make sure that we have good healthcare, good childcare, and making sure that we support women in whatever way they need to be able to manage and balance the challenges of a complicated life so that they can take good care of their patients."

The worldwide medical community came together on February 3, 2022, in celebration of National Women Physicians Day, a day dedicated to the thousands of women who make up the medical system. The event is in remembrance of the birthday of Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, who became the first woman to graduate as a physician in the US in 1849. Blackwell, a trailblazer of her time, was rejected by 29 colleges prior to attending and graduating from Hobart College.

Since then, there have been several notable strides made by women within the space. In 1864, after studying at the New England Female Medical College, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD, became the first African American woman to become a Doctor of Medicine in the US. The rise of young female physicians was further emphasized in a 2017 Athena Health survey, which stated that more than 60% of physicians under the age of 35 years were female.

Jan Brandes, MD, MS, assistant clinical professor, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, has been involved as a leader in trials for migraine medications for over 20 years. In an interview with 

®, she discussed the most vital aspects of how to encourage and keep women in neurology, starting with a sound education system. She also discussed the importance of representation in medicine and the need for physicians with varying racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds.

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The assistant clinical professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine discussed ways of incorporating and encouraging women physicians to enter the neurology specialty. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Attracting More Women to Neurology: Jan Brandes, MD, MS

“There was this notion that you had to really give up everything else if you're going to choose medicine, and that certainly has dramatically changed.”

With changing perspectives in the field of medicine, and the field of neurology specifically, women have experienced a change in an understanding of their roles within the space. An understanding of the need for a more inclusive workplace environment and the importance of work-life balance has created more opportunity for women over the course of their careers.

To discuss this shift, we sat down with Jan Brandes, MD, MS, assistant clinical professor, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, who described her experience entering the field over 20 years ago, and the values that she maintains in her everyday practice. Striking a balance between her professionalism and her adherence to traditional dress, Brandes, who also serves on the 

 Board, she further explained the unique benefits women physicians bring to the table via the amount of time they spend with patients. In coversation with 

Brandes also addressed the growth and changes in the field in general, expressing her commitment to helping better patients’ lives, in addition to prescribing and managing the most appropriate therapy.

In light of National Women Physicians Day, the assistant clinical professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine commented on the roles women have played historically, and her perspective on where they stand now. [WATCH TIME: 12 minutes]

Evolving Roles of Women in Neurology: Jan Brandes, MD, MS

"She [Elizabeth Blackwell] was this person who made me say, ‘This is what I want to do. This is what I want to be.’ And just because I’m a girl or a woman, I shouldn’t not be able to do it. I think that’s such an important message for anyone. That message extends certain in terms of women and girls, but also in terms of what I would call personhood. It doesn’t matter whether you look like what most of the people do that you want to do; you should decide what you want to do."

February 3, 2022, marks the fourth anniversary of National Women Physicians Day, a day dedicated to honoring the thousands of women doctors across the world, and the impact they have as a part of the medical community. Historically, the event falls on this day as a remembrance of the birthday of Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the US, who helped pave the way for generations of doctors to follow.

Jan Brandes, MD, MS, assistant clinical professor, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, looked up to Blackwell, and said that her story was important to her as a little girl growing up with aspirations of being a physician. Brandes has had over 20 years of experience as a migraine expert, currently serving on the 

 Board, and the director and founder of the Nashville Neuroscience group, which became part of Saint Thomas Health Services in 2009.

On this National Women Physician Day, Brandes shared her experiences growing up, including the impact Blackwell had on her, and why she fell in love with neurology. She also discussed the importance of the day, the need to continue conversations about the inclusion of women, and a specific story that influenced her to become what she is today.

The assistant clinical professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine shared what National Women Physicians Day means to her, and the history behind its celebration. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Jan Brandes, MD, MS

Articles

Attracting More Women to Neurology: Jan Brandes, MD, MS

Evolving Roles of Women in Neurology: Jan Brandes, MD, MS

Importance of National Women Physicians Day and Valuing Women in Neurology: Jan Brandes, MD, MS

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