The Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society for Women Faculty

Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society logo

The Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society for Women Faculty is a society for faculty of all ranks in the health sciences at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The Society is named after Dr. Virginia Kneeland Frantz, a VP&S alumna (class of ’22), recognized academic surgical pathologist, researcher and educator. Dr. Frantz was the first woman to pursue an internship in surgery at Presbyterian Hospital (now NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital) and the first woman to become president of a major national medical organization, the American Thyroid Society. The Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society aims to serve, support and celebrate the careers of women in science and medicine at CUIMC.

Membership

The Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society welcomes members of all genders, faculty levels, departments and specialties, including alumnae, at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center who are committed to the career advancement of women faculty. Though this is a society that aims to serve the needs of women, the society expects and encourages the generalization of improvements in career development to all faculty. Additionally, it supports interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship and welcomes faculty who share the same vision in other schools. Membership is also offered (and encouraged) to students of all levels, as well as residents, trainees, doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows.

Mission

To serve, support and celebrate the advancement of careers of women at all ranks in the health sciences and medicine at CUIMC. The Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society for Women Faculty aims to:

  • Serve the needs of women at CUIMC in all departments through education and professional development
  • Support women through networking, mentorship, advocating for equity, sponsorship and providing work-life resources
  • Celebrate career achievements and advancement of women alumnae and faculty at CUIMC as well as honor those who mentor and support them

Vision

The Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society for Women Faculty advocates for the equitable career advancement of women faculty at CUIMC.

Strategic Goals

Serve

  • Offer programs, education and services to women faculty to help them advance in their careers
  • Ensure equitable salary, promotions and leadership opportunities to women faculty at CUIMC
  • Be an informational and educational resource for issues around faculty careers for women faculty
  • Create a platform for women at CUIMC to become agents of change
  • Identify needs and barriers to advancement of women faculty and to create solutions

Support

  • Empower women faculty to advance in their careers and to develop personally
  • Encourage women faculty to be full participants in institutional growth and development
  • Promote equitable representation of women in leadership roles and on important committees, including search committees and honors nomination committees
  • Advocate for women faculty and their contributions to education, research, clinical care and institutional citizenship
  • Create support networks for women

Celebrate

  • Recognize the achievements of women faculty, alumnae and students at CUIMC
  • Recognize the advancement of women in leadership and prestigious roles in science and medicine
  • Actively sponsor women faculty for honors and awards

For more information, please email: vkfsociety@columbia.edu.