Celebrating women in science and technology
Science, technology and innovation are all vital components of healthcare, and now more than ever we need diverse viewpoints and expertise in these fields to guide us through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority asked a few of our fearless female leaders: what does it mean to be a woman working in science?
Karen Earnshaw, BScN, RN, Vice President Integrated Rural Health
"I truly believe that health care is all about “care” and ensuring the best outcomes for those we serve. However it is the 'science' behind my role that helps me make the best decisions possible, sometimes for just one patient but often for entire populations. In order to do that we need rigor and the best possible evidence available. So for me, I would say that the 'science' behind being a Registered Nurse has allowed me to do things I never imagined and to help people in ways I wouldn’t have thought possible."
Dr. Julie Kryzanowski, MD, Senior Medical Health Officer
"It means constantly asking questions – about what we know, but also how and why we know – to help understand and solve big problems that affect everyone. Being a woman in science means that I get to ask questions that may not otherwise be asked."
Dr. Jessica Minion, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Provincial Clinical Lead Public Health – Laboratory Medicine
"It means I get to do cool and interesting things every day. I love that learning new things and staying on top of the latest discoveries is what I am paid to do!"
Dr. Susan Shaw, MD, FRCPC, Chief Medical Officer
"Science gives me the knowledge, ability and opportunity to make more sense of the world we live in. I have the tools to think through complex problems and I get to work in a team made up of curious and brilliant people."
Brandy Winquist, BA (hons), MSc, PhD, Executive Director, Quality, Safety, and Strategy
"Being an epidemiologist living in a rural community, I’m happy to see science being done by women of different ages, origins, and backgrounds. To succeed in these fields, young girls (like my own daughter) need to believe in themselves and have female role models in their own communities."
Dr. Stephanie Young, MD, CCFP, Physician Executive, Integrated Northern Health
"The possibilities are endless; a career in the sciences can allow you to be a helper, a healer, an innovator to create new and exciting things, a detective solving problems or figuring out diagnoses, or even an educator who teaches about the wonders of the world. Science can take you places that you may never have thought imaginable before."