res26078

R 078

2026 -- H 7470
Enacted 02/03/2026

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING “NATIONAL WOMEN PHYSICIANS DAY” ON FEBRUARY 3RD OF 2026, IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Diaz, Edwards, Batista, Kislak, Cruz, Giraldo, and Casimiro

Date Introduced: February 03, 2026

WHEREAS, National Women Physicians Day commemorates the birthday of Dr.

Elizabeth Blackwell, who, in 1849, became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the

United States; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Blackwell championed the participation of women in the medical field

and ultimately opened her own medical college for women, the Women's Medical College in

New York City. In addition, during the Civil War, she and her sisters worked closely with

Florence Nightingale, training nurses for Union Hospitals, to provide care for the sick and

wounded; and

WHEREAS, National Women Physicians Day honors the pioneering achievements and

ongoing contributions of all female physicians in the field of health care, including the notable

accomplishments of Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White, who was the first Black woman transplant

surgeon in the United States and who, over her 40-year career, performed an estimated 2,000

organ transplants; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White is no stranger to overcoming challenges. She

grew up in Barbados, and at the age of 15, immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, with her family.

Pursuing her dream of becoming a physician, she eventually earned her medical degree from

Columbia University, and eight years later, earned her Doctor of Surgery from Pitt School of

Medicine, a first in the country; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White is recognized as one of the top doctors in the

United States and is passionate and dedicated to educating communities of color about the need

for more organ donors and the rising number of patients in need of transplantation; and

WHEREAS, Since 1849, women physicians have made remarkable strides in health care,

and as of early 2025, there were 424,000 female physicians in the United States, which is

approximately 38.5 percent of the total active physician workforce; and

WHEREAS, In addition, over the course of the last five years, women have made up the

majority of medical school applicants, matriculants, and enrollees making up over 57 percent of

applicants; however, a 2021 report from the Rand Corporation found that female physicians earn

$90,000 to $100,000 less than men each year; and

WHEREAS, Women physicians bring unique perspectives to patient care, and serve as

leaders, educators, researchers and mentors to future generations; and

WHEREAS, National Women Physicians Day honors the achievements of female

physicians and is a time to not only recognize the contributions of female physicians to

healthcare, but to also inspire future generations of female physicians, and to advocate for equal

pay and leadership opportunities; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

celebrates February 3, 2026, as “National Women Physicians Day”; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mariah Stump, MD, MPH, President of the

Board of Directors, Rhode Island Medical Women’s Association (RIMWA).

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