At WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, we take immense pride in honoring the legacy and ongoing contributions of women physicians, both within our institution and across the globe. National Women Physicians Day, celebrated annually on February 3rd, provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women who are making significant strides in the field of medicine. As we reflect on this important occasion, we are pleased to highlight some of the inspiring voices and stories from our accomplished female physicians.
The Path to Ophthalmology
The journey to becoming a physician is often rooted deeply in personal experiences and early inspirations. Dr. Carla Siegfried recalls, “One of my earliest memories was my career goal to be a physician. My two oldest brothers were in medical school when I was very young, which certainly inspired me to pursue this goal. As for the specialty of ophthalmology, I loved surgery and how we impact our patients’ lives.” Her story underscores the importance of early influences and the passion that drives many to pursue this fulfilling career.

Carla Siegfried, MD
Jacquelyn E. and Allan E. Kolker, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Professionalism
- Email: siegfried@nospam.wustl.edu
Dr. Cynthia Montana shared a similar sentiment: “I’ve always loved science and have been interested in medicine since childhood. But my path towards ophthalmology began during grad school, when I studied the molecular basis of retinal development at WashU Medicine. The eye and the mentors I interacted with confirmed my calling.”

Cynthia Montana, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Director of the University Eye Service
- Email: montanac@nospam.wustl.edu
Dr. Linda Tsai reflects on her early influences, saying, “My father was always a role model for me. He was a cardiologist, and I would go on hospital rounds with him when I was young. I loved how he interacted with the patients and how he made a difference in their lives. During medical school, I personally found ophthalmology to be the most satisfying specialty because I could help to restore sight through cataract surgery. I also loved the personal relationships I can form with the patients and how appreciative they are of the care they receive.”
Overcoming Challenges and Inspiring the Next Generation

The road to becoming a female physician is often met with unique challenges that require resilience and tactical navigation. Dr. Erin Sieck poses an insightful reflection, “As a female, we balance it all. I have a young daughter and want to be present for her, but also be the best physician to my patients. With the help of incredible staff at WashU Medicine, I can be both.”

Erin Sieck, MD
Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Fellowship Director Advanced Anterior Segment and Glaucoma Surgery; Director of Ophthalmology Continuing Medical Education
- Email: erin.sieck@nospam.wustl.edu
Dr. Amritha Kanakamedala shared her experiences with the disparities faced by female physicians, noting, “One of the challenges many female physicians face, including myself, is patients making comments that they otherwise would not make to my male colleagues. Whether it is about our appearance, assumed experience level or role, these comments are met more frequently by myself and my female colleagues.”
“As a female physician, it can be challenging to find mentors who have had similar experiences and challenges. However, I’ve found that there is always much to learn from all of my colleagues, and I hope to be as good a mentor for the younger generation as I can be.”
Dr. Linda Tsai
Ultimately, one of the highlights of being a physician and educator is the ability to mentor and inspire the next generation. Dr. Mary-Grace Reeves remarked, “Healthcare is a team-based profession. Each member of the care team is key to achieving the best possible outcome for a patient. As physicians, we are constantly learning and working to optimize care. Mentoring those in training behind us is crucial.”
A Rich History of Women in Ophthalmology
The field of ophthalmology has long benefited from the contributions of women, even though it has historically been a male-dominated field. The journey for women in ophthalmology started in the 19th century, with early trailblazers such as Dr. Mary Walker, who became one of the first women to earn a medical degree in the U.S. but was initially not allowed to practice in many specialties, including ophthalmology. In the early 20th century, other pioneers, like Dr. Dorothy Reed Mendenhall, made significant advances in the study of eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (source).
The barriers for women in ophthalmology began to break down in the latter half of the 20th century. A pivotal moment came with Dr. Mary W. Jackman, who became the first woman to join the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Her leadership opened the door for many more women to follow. Today, women ophthalmologists continue to make significant strides in clinical care, research, and academic leadership, with many holding influential positions within institutions, organizations, and research centers (source).
Over the years, more women have entered the field of ophthalmology, with women now comprising nearly 40% of medical school classes. This is a significant shift from the 1960s when women accounted for only about 6% of ophthalmology residents. The changing demographics of ophthalmology reflect broader trends in medicine, but also demonstrate the field’s commitment to increasing gender equity. As noted in a 2022 American Academy of Ophthalmology journal article, there is a continued focus on improving opportunities for women in the profession, and ongoing efforts to ensure a more inclusive and supportive environment (source).
The evolution of women’s participation in ophthalmology is further showcased by the work of modern-day leaders and researchers, who continue to advance the field in both clinical and academic settings. Women in ophthalmology are increasingly influencing research, particularly in areas such as retinal disease and gene therapy. They are also advocating for more representation in leadership roles within medical societies and organizations (source).
Inspiring Voices from WashU Medicine Women Physicians
Dr. Carla Siegfried, Jacquelyn E. and Allan E. Kolker, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Professionalism, advised future young female physicians looking to get into the field of ophthalmology: “So if I were asked to give advice to a young female ophthalmologist, I would say first of all, find a great mentor. A mentor that will open doors for you.”

Carla Siegfried, MD
Jacquelyn E. and Allan E. Kolker, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Professionalism
- Email: siegfried@nospam.wustl.edu
Many of our female physicians at WashU Medicine have been inspired by their personal experiences to pursue careers in ophthalmology. Dr. Natalia Morales shares her story, saying, “What inspired me to pursue ophthalmology and medicine in general, I think what a lot of people are drawn towards is helping people and the love for science, and I had both of those passions. I found it to be a great opportunity to help a community that I love. I grew up in primarily Latino community. My mom is Spanish-speaking, and I saw that there was a great need for eye care in that community, and that’s what inspired me to start looking into ophthalmology. And the more I looked into it, the more I realized it was this beautiful career of being able to follow patients long term and help them and build relationships with them, while also being able to perform life-changing surgeries on patients with cataract surgery or other surgeries. It’s just a beautiful field that we get to offer a lot of options to our patients.”
Dr. Shaath, currently doing a cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery fellowship at WashU Medicine, reflects on her passion for the field: “The reason that I really love doing LASIK for people is it’s a quick and easy procedure, gets patients out of glasses, the results are excellent, and overall patients are just very happy after we do this procedure for them.”
Dr. Barbara Smith, currently doing a cornea fellowship at WashU Medicine, discussed the female physicians that inspired her to pursue a career in ophthalmology: “Back when I was a medical student, there were a lot of female pediatric ophthalmologists that I worked with as I was looking into the field of ophthalmology. They were a big reason why I went into the field of ophthalmology. They were really smart, really good clinicians, strong surgeons, yet they were also very kind.”
Celebrating Milestones and Looking Forward
Women in ophthalmology have made remarkable strides not only in clinical care but also in research and academic leadership. Dr. Yi-Hsien Yeh emphasized the importance of representation and mentorship, stating, “Women are underrepresented in leadership roles in medicine.” She also praised Dr. Carla Siegfried as an inspiring figure, saying, “Dr. Siegfried exemplifies how dedication, curiosity, and leadership can lead to a lasting impact in both patient care and medical advancement.” Dr. Yeh highlighted the unique opportunities within ophthalmology, noting, “Vision is one of the most valued senses, and ophthalmology gives us the unique opportunity to restore or preserve sight, directly improving patients’ quality of life. Ophthalmology offers a balance of surgery, clinic work, and research opportunities, making it adaptable to different life stages and personal goals.”

Yi-Hsien Yeh, MD
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Chief of Ophthalmic Trauma 2024-2025
The commitment to progress and advocacy remains strong among our women physicians. Dr. Mary-Grace Reeves highlighted the significance of addressing barriers to care, “Advocacy in our state and national governments is one way in which ophthalmologists can continue to ensure patients receive exceptional medical care and there is research funding in place to develop effective therapies.”

Reflecting on the accomplishments of our female physicians, Dr. Cynthia Montana mentioned the groundbreaking achievements of Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, “The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to them for their work on the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool, a tremendous leap forward in our ability to treat diseases via gene therapy.”
Closing Thoughts
As we celebrate National Women Physicians Day, we acknowledge the incredible contributions women have made and continue to make in the field of ophthalmology. From pioneering research to compassionate patient care, and from mentoring the next generation to advocating for necessary changes, their impact is invaluable.
“I am grateful for the numerous women (and men) who have paved the path for me. At this time in my career, I hope to do my part by mentoring others and helping them reach their highest potential.”
Dr. Carla Siegfried
On this day, we honor all women physicians at WashU Medicine and around the world who dedicate their lives to improving patient care, advancing science, and inspiring future generations. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and remarkable contributions to the field of medicine.