SWIM History
SWIM was conceived and founded in 2011 from a group of women physicians in the Spartanburg community and has grown to over 50 members in 2016. The mission of SWIM was to create a way for female physicians to network, socialize, increase participation in local medical organizations, and pool collective ideas, talents, and resources, to make a positive impact in Spartanburg county.
Since 2013, the group has had social events combined with charitable giving for local charities including Access Health, Ryan White Food Panty and the St Matthews Free Clinic. There have been special events participating in Habitat for Humanity Women Build and a Pure Barre Class for female physicians. The group has participated in fund raising for Via College of Medicine mission trips and have had call to actions for legislation relevant to health care. And a tradition has emerged to celebrate Women in Medicine Month in September with a signature social event.
Approximately 33% of the physician workforce in the USA today are female physicians, compared to 27% in 2008 and 12% in 1981.* There are record numbers of women entering medical school and this number will continue to rise. In local Spartanburg hospitals the average number of female physicians on staff is around 25% and the Spartanburg County Medical Society membership only counts 17% women.
Spartanburg County Medical Society is excited to have SWIM members join as a section as a newly formed voice for their members. This collaboration will allow SWIM to be sustainable in our community. We hope to increase female representation and encourage and develop leadership, advocacy, mentoring and strategic alliances in the county and surrounding environs.
There has been extraordinary progress in women in medicine over the last 150 years. There is still a pressing need for female role models and mentors and a commitment to increasing influence of women physicians. Let’s celebrate Women in Medicine!
*Walker, Ray, MD, and Tim Norbeck. "Female Physicians And The Future Of Healthcare Delivery." Editorial. Forbes. Forbes, 26 Oct. 2015. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
“SWIM has helped accomplish bringing women physicians in our community together to meet and pool our ideas and talents.
— Dr. Amy Baruch, Founder
WHAT WE'VE ACHIEVED
Annual Women in Medicine event in September
Annual Spring dinner with donations to Access Health Sparanburg
Calls to action to support South Carolina Legislative events
#swimwellness events in 2016
Joined the Spartanburg County Medical Society as a standing committee
Habitat for Humanity Women's Build 2015
Wellness cooking event 2017
Read our blog for updates!
The SWIM YouTube Channel, The SWIM Podcast.