Dr. Gretchen Schwarze, professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery, was awarded the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS) Impact Award.
The GWIMS Impact Award recognizes a nominee’s contributions in any area, such as advocacy, clinical work, education, research, program development, administration, community involvement, or faculty development.
Dr. Schwarze is a leader in the field of bioethics. Recently she was elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Schwarze has transformed how surgeons communicate with patients about major treatment decisions and informed consent for surgery. The Best Case/Worst Case tool and the Better Conversations framework that Dr. Schwarze developed has been applied in other disciplines and is being taught to trainees so that they know how to navigate treatment decisions with patients and families.
The UW School of Medicine and Public Health Group on Women in Medicine & Science was established in January 2021 as a chapter of the American Association of Medical Colleges national GWIMS organization. Their activities are centered on educating, connecting, and celebrating women in medicine and science at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.