On February 3, 2026, we celebrate National Women Physicians Day.
According to the American Medical Association, National Women Physicians Day, also known as Women Physicians Day or Women in Medicine Day, honors the pioneering achievements and ongoing contributions of female physicians in the field of health care. It also commemorates the trailblazing spirit of Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, who, in 1849, became the first American woman to earn a medical degree, paving the way for countless female doctors to follow.
The UNMC Department of Psychiatry has a large contingent of more than 25 female physicians. The department has added eight female doctors since July 2023 and currently trains eight female residents or interns.
“We have a strong culture of women physicians leading the way in psychiatry, both locally and nationally,” said Department of Psychiatry Chair Howard Liu, MD, MBA. “We should all take a moment to thank our outstanding women physician colleagues who are transforming every aspect of our mission!”
Several women physicians have recently joined the department’s leadership team: Dr. Kimberly Clawson (founding forensic psychiatry fellowship director), Dr. Erin Kindred (associate medical director of the PES), Dr. Melissa O’Dell (associate clerkship director), Dr. Erin Ranum (associate geriatric division director), and Dr. Charlotte Ritchie (junior chief resident). The department has several women in leadership roles off campus as well, including the Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP), the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the Association for Academic Psychiatry (AAP), the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP), and several others inside and outside Nebraska.
To commemorate the event, Sheritta Strong, MD, MBA, DFAPA; Zoe Feilner, PA-C, and Celeste Akers have created a display for Poynter Hall and a video celebrating the female doctors.
Several female professors have accepted leadership positions, including Dr. Kimberly Clawson (forensic fellowship), Dr. Erin Ranum (associate geriatric division director), and Dr. Erin Kindred (associate medical director of PES).