Building Bridges: A New Alliance for Women in Medicine and Science

In the world of medicine and biomedical sciences, women+ faculty often face roadblocks to career growth. While programs to help them advance are crucial, they're not always easy to access. That's why a group of leaders from The Ohio State University College of Medicine decided to create something new. They imagined and built a collaborative called CommUNITYten, bringing together Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) institutions. Their main goals were to host a big event and set up a system for more programs, resource sharing, and networking. Planning the conference took teamwork. They worked with task forces and industry partners to design the program. They even figured out how to handle money, like setting registration fees and asking for sponsorships. After the conference, attendees gave feedback through surveys. This helped them understand what worked and what could be better next time. The first CommUNITYten conference happened in June 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. It had keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and plenty of chances to network over a day and a half. About 180 people came from different BTAA schools, companies, and even staff and trainees. Surveys showed that many would attend another in-person event and had ideas for future topics. In October 2024, they launched a survey to check on gender equity needs and existing programs across BTAA institutions. The collaborative was successfully established, and the conference was a hit. Key people from each BTAA school, sponsorships, and careful planning made it all possible. The event brought together leaders, faculty, staff, trainees, and industry partners from across the country. It achieved its initial goals of networking, resource sharing, and community building. This work sets a strong foundation for CommUNITYten to continue supporting women+ faculty. It also shows how other groups can advocate for gender equity on a national scale.