My general rule when traveling is to not check a bag.
However, this trip was notably different. I was bringing several full-size skincare products to share with my friends, and as such, I was forced to check my bag. As luck would have it, I made it, but my bag did not. The hotel we were staying in was so remote that there wasn’t even a gift shop for me to try to buy anything.
I was traveling to attend a small retreat in the breathtaking British Virgin Islands with a group of remarkable female physicians. I was expecting to bond and learn from these women, but I didn’t think I would be asking them for clothes and toiletries. For 48 hours, I relied on the generosity of the women around me, borrowing clothes, chargers, toiletries, and more. Have you ever needed to ask someone to borrow their underwear? Well, you get real close real fast (thanks again Bonnie).
We shared more than just underwear and sunscreen; we shared our lives — our work, our families, the businesses we're building, and the dreams we're nurturing. We laughed until our sides hurt, shed tears over shared struggles, and engaged in deep, meaningful conversations that left us all feeling understood and empowered.
By the end of the retreat, the burnout, cynicism, and irritation I arrived with had been replaced with a renewed sense of hope, inspiration, and empowerment.
I won’t sugarcoat it — making this happen wasn’t easy. It required juggling my schedule at the hospital, asking my nanny to work overtime, and ensuring my husband wasn’t traveling at the same time.
In an era where virtual CME conferences are abundant and easily accessible, one might wonder: Is it still necessary to attend conferences in person? For me, the answer is a resounding YES.
The significance of in-person gatherings, especially for women in health care, cannot be overstated. While virtual events are convenient and less expensive, they lack the vibrancy and depth of face-to-face interactions. I had the distinct longing to see people in real life and give them a hug. There’s an undeniable magic in being physically present with others, in an immersive environment where real connections are forged, and genuine collaborations are born. These in-person interactions are crucial for personal growth and meaningful networking.
In a virtual-first reality that the world has adopted after the pandemic, we need to remind ourselves about the power of in-person connection, and why prioritizing it makes a difference.
After this profound experience with other women physicians in the British Virgin Islands, I made a promise to myself that at least once a year, I’m going to prioritize my personal and professional development by attending a conference geared toward women in medicine. However, I couldn’t quite find what I was looking for. As they say, necessity is the mother of all invention, so I started planning my own conference, LeadHer Summit, which will be in Dallas, TX in early November.
I know we are all busy. I know it’s hard to break away from the programming of your life. But I promise you that if you make the investment in yourself, at least once a year, to attend a conference or retreat that speaks to you and go with an open mind to engage, learn, and make new connections, it will be worth it. Being a woman in medicine is hard, but it can be much easier with the support of other women who have been there and know what you’re going through.
Dr. Tiffany Moon is an anesthesiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center and the founder of LeadHer Summit. She enjoys spending time with her family, fashion, and traveling.
Illustration by April Brust
