ATLANTA (June 5, 2023) — New Amsterdam. Grey’s Anatomy. Private Practice. ER. They’re just a few of the shows that have entertained millions with their scripted look at the lives of doctors. A new book, however, goes where no Hollywood production has ventured before. “The Game Plan: A Woman’s Guide to Becoming a Doctor and Living a Life in Medicine” speaks to the hearts and minds of girls — from middle school to medical school — who want to learn about the rewards and frustrations of medicine from a woman’s perspective.

Drs. Diane Boykin, M.D.; Leah Matthews, M.D., MPH; Sylvia E. Morris, M.D., MPH; Jessica Osborn, M.D.; and Angela C.B. Walker, M.D., first came together while studying at Georgetown University School of Medicine in the late 1990s. They quickly learned the significance of having a support system rooted in a singular goal of becoming a female doctor. Throughout their more than 30-year friendship, the women have shared strategies for succeeding in classes, cheered each other on through residencies, offered advice on balancing family responsibilities while addressing adversity in the healthcare workforce, encouraged each other’s ideas for achieving mental wellness, and dreams of writing a book.  

“We have watched each other mature over the past three decades in ways that are dynamic to us as women and women of color,” said Dr. Morris. “It was actually during one of our annual getaways that we realized we needed to dig into our collective and individual experiences to offer the knowledge that we have obtained to help young girls who aspire to wear a white coat one day.”

In 2019, data from the Association of American Medical Colleges showed that women outnumbered men in U.S. medical schools for the first time. Research published in the JAMA Internal Medicine in 2017 suggested that patients treated by female doctors have better health outcomes than those treated by male doctors. Other recent studies showed that male doctors are sued more than women doctors; other research showed that male doctors tend to earn higher salaries than female doctors. These rationales present both challenges and opportunities for women to pursue careers in medicine.

“While the number of female practicing physicians and graduating medical students is on the rise, women continue to face unique factors that can impact patient and career outcomes,” said Dr. Walker. “That’s why we collaborated on this book that illustrates the importance of developing a game plan that addresses enjoying science, attending medical school, entering residency, compensation expectations, work-life balance and career trajectory.”

The book, “The Game Plan: A Woman’s Guide to Becoming a Doctor and Living a Life in Medicine,” is available now on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5YM8SFJ and visit https://adjlsllc.com/ for more details to learn more about the doctors.

About the Authors

Dr. Diane Boykin is a native of New York. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Wellesley College and her medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She completed her residency at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Leah Matthews is a native of Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Texas A&M University, her medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and completed her residency and Masters in public health at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.

Dr. Sylvia E. Morris hails from Los Angeles. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Berkeley, medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, and residency at the University of Washington Medical Center.

Dr. Jessica Osborn is from New Jersey. She earned her Bachelor of Science at Rutgers University, medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and completed her residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

A native of Dallas, Dr. Angela Walker earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Texas A&M University, her medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and completed her residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.