Strengthening the pathway for women physicians in the neurosciences

Building stronger networks can improve opportunities for research and leadership, says UCI Health expert

IN THE NEWS: Women continue to expand their presence in the neurosciences clinical practice, research, and academic leadership, but persistent gaps remain in representation, advancement and opportunity.

Dr. Claire Henchcliffe, a board-certified UCI Health neurologist, spoke with NeurologyLive about her long career in medicine, academic research and leadership in the neurosciences.

Henchcliffe says the best way forward has been when she followed the path she thought was the right for her and stayed open to new experiences. Even if uncomfortable, she says she’s been extremely lucky to find herself working at a time when earlier women leaders had broken down at least some of the barriers and now she says it’s our turn.

“As professional women, we need to build strong networks. I’ve been extremely lucky to find myself working at a time when earlier women leaders had broken down at least some of the barriers — now it’s our turn. Effective mentorship for women in neurology can and should take multiple forms. I think one way to do that is through more formal programs. Many institutions, like ours at UC Irvine, provides opportunities for networking, research and leadership.”

Henchcliffe is a board-certified UCI Health neurologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and related conditions. She is the Stanley van den Noort Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, where her research focuses on Parkinson's disease, including developing new novel therapeutics such as stem cell-based interventions, neurodegenerative disorders and regenerative neurology.