The month of May is a time of year when health advocates focus greater attention on women’s health. And for good reason. It’s important to encourage preventive care for women through regular check-ups and screenings, exercise, nutrition and other healthy behaviors that protect against disease.

ISMA would like to take this time to recognize not only the importance of women’s health – but the women physicians throughout Indiana who are helping drive the future of health care for all Hoosier patients.

Our association’s first female president, Shirley Khalouf, MD, was elected by her peers in 1986. Since then, ISMA has been led by four more women presidents: Heidi M. Dunniway, MD; Rhonda Sharp, MD; Stacie Wenk, DO; and Lisa Hatcher, MD. In addition, J. Elizabeth Struble, MD, currently serves as president-elect.

Meanwhile, our ISMA Women in Medicine Committee, formed in 2009, continues to lead the association’s efforts to increase membership and participation among female medical students, residents, fellows and physicians. The committee also provides a forum for mentoring, leadership development and collegiality among women in medicine.

Thank you to our first woman president, Dr. Khalouf; to the members of the ISMA Women in Medicine Committee; and to all women physicians around the state who are a vital part of ISMA’s success and the quality of life for Hoosier patients. 

Pictured above: ISMA past presidents Heidi M. Dunniway, MD; Shirley Khalouf, MD; and Rhonda Sharp, MD

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ISMA Women in Medicine Committee 

Maria G. Del Rio Hoover, MD, Evansville (District 1)

Heidi M. Dunniway, MD, Evansville (District 1)

Shalin E. Arnett, DO, Vincennes (District 2)

Agnes C. Bacala, MD, Jeffersonville (District 3)

Vasundhara Voleti, MD, North Vernon (District 4)

Annuradha Bhandari, MD, Richmond (District 6)

Katherine J. Kelley, MD, Indianapolis (District 7) 

Helen A. Borgenheimer, MD, Hartford City (District 8)

Tamera L. Vandegriff, MD, Frankfort (District 9)

Rebecca E. Galante, MD, Munster (District 10)

J. Elizabeth Struble, MD, North Manchester (District 11)

Rhonda L. Sharp, MD, Howe (District 12)

Natali M. Balog, MD, South Bend (District 13)

Alexander S. Choi, MD, Zionsville (Ex officio)

Roberto Darroca, MD, Muncie (Ex officio)

David R. Diaz, MD, Fishers (ex officio)

Lisa A. Hatcher, MD, Columbia City (Ex officio)

Julie Reed, JD, Indianapolis (Ex officio)

Andrew T. Trobridge, MD, Fishers (Ex officio)