Early in 2020, national healthcare experts warned that in the absence of a coordinated federal plan coupled with individual citizen’s commitment to “stop the spread,” the rate of COVID-19 infections would exponentially spike in the United States as the cold weather of fall and winter converged with the influenza season. As predicted, the country is currently experiencing record high numbers of COVID-19 infections and hotspots without any new mitigating tools (e.g., vaccine) or widespread use of current mitigating tools (i.e., masks). Healthcare experts fear this current state will soon lead to dire consequences, including overrun of our hospitals, healthcare systems, and protective resources. Unfortunately, Indiana is no exception to this national trend.
Please join Women & Hi Tech on February 11th, International Day of Women & Girls in Science as declared by the United Nations General Assembly, for a candid conversation with Indiana’s top ranking healthcare official, Dr. Kristina Box. In alignment with the mission of International Day of Women & Girls in Science to “achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and to further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls,” Women & Hi Tech’s kickoff event of 2021 is being offered virtually to promote the advancement and appreciation of female scientific leaders in our community.
In accordance, Dr. Box will present scientific data, facts, and information about the rate and incidence of COVID-19 infections in Indiana, and particularly in Central Indiana and Marion County. Dr. Box will also engage in a casual dialogue with Women & Hi Tech representatives to answer crucial questions from our members about COVID-19’s effect on Hoosiers, an updated status on vaccine development, and how we can all do our part to protect ourselves and others during the pandemic. Dr. Box will further inform us as to any foreseeable national policies from the new administration that would affect Indiana’s distribution and/or implementation of promising COVID-19 vaccine relief opportunities here at home in the Hoosier state.
As a female physician and a woman in STEM, Dr. Box has spent her career passionately focused on studying and addressing the high incidence of maternal and infant mortality. Similar to COVID-19 shown to disproportionately affect people of color, maternal and infant mortality also has a disparate effect on women of color, particularly African-American women. In further recognition of Black History Month, Dr. Box will offer scientific rationale as to why women or people of color are significantly affected by these conditions as compared to non-diverse people. Finally, Dr. Box will provide professional development tips and tools on how she, like so many of us, has successfully pivoted her career focus and energy due to the impact of COVID-19.
This event is relevant to all Women & Hi Tech members and non-members alike, and will be an excellent reminder as we start off 2021 that we Hoosiers are #INThisTogether. As a public service to our community, this event is only $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers, and will sell out quickly. So, register now as this one you can’t afford to miss. We hope to see you there.
Registration for this EWF is required in order to provide you with the final login instructions. A login/password will be sent to the email address entered for this registration approximately 48 hours before the event begins.
**By registering for this event, you acknowledge that you may be photographed, videotaped, and/or audio-taped during the course of this event and hereby give permission for your image, and/or voice to be used in education, training, promotion, advertisement, and/or trade and communications media by Women & Hi Tech in any and all media outlets throughout the world, without restriction as to frequency or duration of usage.**
***PLEASE NOTE: W&HT event registration is non-transferable. ***
