The field of neurointervention has changed significantly over the past two decades, with a growing community of women entering the specialty, building successful careers and increasingly taking on positions of leadership.

In this special video, members of the WIN (Women in Neurointervention) community share their personal experiences of developing careers in a field that has historically been male-dominated and discuss the importance of mentorship, representation and peer support.

For many of those who established their careers when there were far fewer women working in neurointervention, finding female role models and mentors was difficult. Today, initiatives such as WIN are helping to change that by creating a community where women can connect with colleagues who understand both the professional and personal challenges they may encounter throughout their careers.

The discussion highlights how effective mentorship can extend far beyond clinical and professional development. From navigating the early stages of a career and building confidence to discussing leadership, pregnancy, family life and returning to work, having someone who can offer open and experienced guidance can make a significant difference.

The contributors also encourage younger physicians to become actively involved in the community — joining WIN meetings, participating in discussions and committees, connecting with colleagues and taking advantage of opportunities to learn from those who have followed different career paths.

With increasing numbers of women entering neurointervention, the focus is now also turning towards the next stage: creating further opportunities for women to progress into leadership positions and play an active role in shaping the future of the specialty.

As one of the contributors powerfully summarises:

“When women support each other, incredible things can happen.”

Oruen is delighted to support the WIN community in sharing these important experiences and conversations, with thanks to Siemens Healthineers for supporting this WIN networking initiative.