{"id":98371,"date":"2022-05-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=98371"},"modified":"2026-02-02T15:23:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T21:23:21","slug":"women-empowering-women-at-unmc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2022\/05\/23\/women-empowering-women-at-unmc\/","title":{"rendered":"Women empowering women at UNMC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\tLeading by example\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tT<\/span>he<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on gender-equity issues and contributed to an unprecedented exodus of women from the workforce. Here, nine women in leadership roles at UNMC talk about shaping health care, working through their own struggles and sharing what they've learned to help others succeed.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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Share<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\"Ann\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAnn Anderson Berry, MD, PhD, leads a full life as a clinician and researcher at UNMC and a mom.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t

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Ann Anderson Berry, MD, PhD<\/strong>
Executive director, UNMC Child Health Research Institute<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you wish you\u2019d known when you began your career?<\/strong> UNMC has changed a lot since I joined the faculty in 2004. I had very few mentors, sponsors or advocates at the beginning of my academic career. With changes in senior leadership, UNMC has grown and become an institution where female leaders are valued and welcomed and can make a significant impact. I wish I had known what I was capable of accomplishing early on. I got bad advice that I couldn’t be a mom, a clinician and a researcher. My advice is to learn as much as possible, trust yourself to do great work, and say yes to opportunities that engage and excite you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you define success?<\/strong> I consider myself successful if I am engaged in my work, making a difference for people who don’t have a voice that is heard on their own, inspiring trainees to learn and choose the best path for themselves and getting out of my comfort zone to try new things.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSheritta Strong, MD, assistant vice chancellor of inclusion at UNMC, encourages women to champion DEI in their communities.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t

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Sheritta Strong, MD
<\/strong>Assistant vice chancellor of inclusion, UNMC <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does “work\/life balance” mean to you? <\/strong>There\u2019s no such thing as balance. At any given time, many of us are juggling balls in the air. Some land in our hands, some stay in the air, and others land on the floor. The challenge is making sure the important ones don\u2019t land on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you define success?<\/strong> Success is setting and reaching your goals, no matter how big or small. We can\u2019t discount our small wins, because they set us up for the big wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What more could UNMC do to encourage women in leadership roles? <\/strong>Acknowledge that racism, sexism, ableism exist in our institution. Be an active part of championing DEI work instead of expecting the DEI officers and other women to fix problems that were not created by them. Be an accomplice. Take responsibility for your own learning and share what you\u2019ve learned with others. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable and willing to grow. Accept feedback.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAlly Dering Anderson, PharmD, reminds women, "We are all more than our careers."\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t

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Ally Dering-Anderson, PharmD
<\/strong>Clinical associate professor, UNMC College of Pharmacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you define success? <\/strong>Success is watching people I\u2019ve taught \u2013 students, patients, colleagues \u2013 excel. Success is knowing that in some way, I\u2019ve helped them along their path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does \u201cwork-life balance\u201d mean to you? <\/strong>For me, it\u2019s life-work balance. We are all more than our careers. Taking care of my life is the only way that I can be good at my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advice do you give young women entering health care? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n