Insights

For those of us in medicine, it's a chance to reflect on how far we've come—and how much work there still is to do. After all, while women make up nearly 70% of the healthcare workforce globally, only a small fraction—about 25%—hold leadership roles. That’s a gap we all feel, whether in the conference room, clinic, or operating theater. 

Here at UC Health, the landscape is changing, though. More than half of the students in our MD program are women—53.5%, to be exact. These students are tomorrow’s physicians, surgeons, and medical researchers, and we can’t help but feel proud of what they’re going to accomplish. Their successes will build on the foundation laid by the women who came before them, the pioneers who pushed through barriers so that women can follow with fewer hurdles in their way. 

This year, as part of our celebration, we want to shine a light on five incredible female leaders from UC Health—women who have dedicated their careers to advancing medicine and who also remind us that the future of healthcare is bright, compassionate, and yes, still very female.

Honoring Pioneers and Trailblazers in Medicine 

When we think of pioneers in medicine, it’s easy to picture the historical figures—the women who broke down barriers at a time when even being in the room was a fight. But the truth is, trailblazers are everywhere today. They’re not just the icons we read about in textbooks; they’re the women standing next to us in the clinic, teaching us in medical school, or leading the research team on the other side of the hallway. 

At UC Health, we’re proud to have female leaders who not only excel in their fields but do so with a sense of purpose that encompasses more than the science. These women understand that healthcare is deeply personal, and their work reflects that. Whether they’re performing groundbreaking research or advocating for patients whose voices often go unheard, these women are doing more than making a name for themselves—they’re changing the game for everyone. 

This month, we celebrate five such leaders, each of them paving the way for better care, stronger support, and a more inclusive vision of health. They remind us that while progress has been made, there’s still room to grow. And if their stories teach us anything, it’s that the journey is just as important as the destination.

Spotlight on UC Health’s Female Clinical Leaders 

Dr. Juliane Vierecke
Medical Director for Cardiac Rehabilitation & Mechanical Circulatory Support Program

Dr. Juliane Vierecke is a heart failure cardiologist specializing in advanced cardiac therapies, including mechanical circulatory support, cardiogenic shock management and heart transplantation. As Director of both the Mechanical Support Program and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, she plays a pivotal role in caring for patients with cardiovascular diseases, while also focusing on holistic, patient-centered care. 

A significant part of Dr. Vierecke's practice centers around addressing the unique cardiovascular needs of women, an area often overlooked in traditional health forums. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet its impact is frequently underestimated. This disparity is further complicated by the fact that women’s symptoms are often more subtle and can be easily misdiagnosed.

Dr. Vierecke also provides specialized attention to women with complex needs, including pregnant women with cardiovascular disease. Her approach blends clinical precision with sensitivity to the emotional and psychological aspects of care. Dr. Vierecke underscores her commitment to ensuring that her female patients receive the comprehensive support they need. 

She maintains an active outpatient clinic and leads a robust clinical research program, focused on improving outcomes in mechanical support and heart failure, with an emphasis of the inclusion of women in the studies.   

Dr. Vierecke explains, “It is difficult to extrapolate the outcomes of some of  he major trials to my patients when women are poorly represented in the majority of these trials. We are all equal, but we are not the same. The biology for women isn’t always the same as men.” 

Dr. Vierecke’s leadership in advanced cardiac therapies, combined with her dedication to addressing the specific needs of women, positions her at the forefront of efforts to close the gap in gender disparities in cardiovascular care. Her ability to merge innovation with empathy makes her a true advocate for her patients, particularly women, who are often underrepresented in cardiovascular research and treatment initiatives.

Dr. Trisha Wise-Draper
Deputy Director of the Office of Clinical Research and University of Cincinnati Cancer Center Oncologist  

For Dr. Trisha Wise-Draper, cancer treatment isn’t just about finding a cure—it’s about ensuring that every patient has access to care that works for them. As a nationally recognized oncologist and researcher, Dr. Wise-Draper is at the forefront of developing innovative cancer therapies. Her work has been especially impactful in head and neck cancers, where she has focused on understanding how gender can influence the way cancer behaves—and how treatment should be adjusted accordingly. 

Dr. Wise-Draper has found that certain tumors grow more aggressively in male patients, while female patients may react differently to certain drugs, likely due to hormonal and immune system differences. Her research is shedding light on how these differences can be used to improve outcomes for women, ensuring that cancer therapies aren’t one-size-fits-all. 

“It is critically important having women working in medicine,” she continues. “Kids (both girls and boys) need to see that strong women are powerful and can make a difference. If you don’t see it, how can you believe you can do it?” 

Her leadership extends beyond the lab and the clinic. She is a powerful advocate for getting more women involved in clinical trials and cancer research, ensuring that women’s voices—and bodies—are considered at every stage of the journey.

Dr. Cindy Hansel and Dr. Chandra Gravely
Menopause Experts

When it comes to women’s health, Dr. Cindy Hansel and Dr. Chandra Gravely understand the complexities like few others. Both have dedicated their careers to treating women, while also advocating for their patients’ voices to be heard in a healthcare system that hasn’t always listened closely enough. 

Dr. Cindy Hansel, an expert in midlife women’s health and a certified menopause provider, is passionate about reshaping the conversation around women’s health.

Her excitement about the emerging research in menopause, brain function, and how hormonal changes affect women’s health throughout their lives is palpable. She’s particularly enthusiastic about how science is finally starting to catch up to the reality that men’s and women’s bodies are not the same—and neither are their brains. “The field is expanding understanding of neural function, hormones, and the aging process,” she says. “I am very excited about the information being generated in the next decade.” 

Dr. Chandra Gravely, who has been practicing in Cincinnati since the early 1990s, brings her own holistic approach to patient care. A seasoned physician specializing in gynecologic care, fibroids, and menopause management, she believes in treating the whole person, not just the symptom.

It’s this kind of comprehensive care that sets her apart, and her patients feel seen for not only their medical conditions, but for who they are outside the exam room. 

Dr. Emily Minarchek
Director of Behavioral Health

Dr. Emily Minarchek is the kind of provider who doesn’t merely treat the symptoms; she’s deeply invested in understanding the entire context of her patients’ lives. As a board-certified psychologist specializing in trauma-related disorders and reproductive mental health, Dr. Minarchek’s work revolves around the nuances of women’s mental health—especially in areas that often go unnoticed or under-researched. 

In her clinic, she focuses on perinatal mental health, treating women during pregnancy, postpartum, and through struggles with infertility or perinatal loss. These are incredibly vulnerable moments in any woman’s life, and Dr. Minarchek is acutely aware of the lack of specialized mental health care available to these women, especially for those who rely on insurance-based services. Her work fills a much-needed gap, providing accessible, evidence-based care that addresses more than the psychological, but also the physical and emotional realities of these experiences.

Dr. Minarchek’s practice offers a safe space where women can talk about their mental health and feel truly heard, particularly when society might expect them to stay silent about their struggles. As a mother herself, she brings empathy and understanding to her role, recognizing the juggling act that so many women face—balancing the demands of parenthood, work, and personal well-being. Her lived experience allows her to tailor her care in a way that’s both practical and deeply validating. 

“I wish more people would recognize that having diversity in our work—i.e., women in medicine—strengthens our collective group instead of diminishing it. Having the voices of women in medicine can improve the care of all our patients and strengthen the medical community at large for our colleagues,” she says. It’s clear that Dr. Minarchek doesn’t only want to treat her patients—she wants to change the system for the better, one conversation, one patient at a time.

Leading with Empathy and Strength 

These doctors are part of a generation of women who are breaking through glass ceilings and ensuring that when they look behind them, the path is clearer for the women who follow. They are proving that women in medicine can excel at every level, from the bedside to the boardroom, and they are determined to lift others as they rise. 

What makes these physicians truly remarkable is not only their clinical expertise or leadership roles, but their ability to connect with patients on a deeper, more personal level. Their shared experiences as women allow them to approach care with empathy, understanding the unique challenges that female patients face, from the complexities of heart disease and cancer to the emotional toll of pregnancy and mental health. 

This connection—between doctor and patient, between mentor and mentee—is what drives real change, bridging the gap between research and care, from the bench to the bedside. It’s more than treating symptoms; it’s about advocating for women’s health in all its forms, ensuring that each patient is seen, heard, and supported. 

As we celebrate Women in Medicine Month, we honor the accomplishments of these incredible women and the difference they’re making every day—for their patients, their colleagues, and the future of healthcare.