Dr. Anne Slater is a Clinical Professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine. She went to college and medical school in Kansas City, completed her pediatric residency in Hartford, CT and did a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship in Pittsburgh, PA. She started at Seattle Children’s in 2009. Dr. Slater founded the Women’s Faculty Council at Children’s and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute Women’s Council in 2024.
Dr. Slater is also the co-chair of the Dean’s Standing Committee on Women in Medicine and Science at UW School of Medicine. Currently, she lives in a small community called Beaux Arts in the Bellevue area with her husband and three boys, aged 3, 6, and 8.
Can you share a little about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in academic medicine?
I really enjoyed working at large centers during my training. I realized that being at a tertiary care center meant working at an academic institution—which I appreciated, as there is something special about helping to train our new generation of physicians that I find inspiring, and the large volumes of patients we get to see keeps me on my toes!
What challenges have you faced as a woman in your field, and how did you overcome them?
I think the thing most women physicians would say is that there are microaggressions we feel almost daily. From being questioned about our expertise or consistently being referred to by our first name, while our men colleagues are referred to as Doctor—it feels demeaning to be ‘un-titled.’ All of these instances culminate in women feeling a bit inferior, which can lead to burnout. The way I managed these feelings was to create community with other women and to advocate for women in areas where there could be meaningful change.
Are there other women, past or present, who have inspired you throughout your journey?
I have to give huge gratitude to both Dr. Leslie Walker and Dr. Ruth McDonald. They have shown me how women in leadership can mentor, coach, sponsor, and uplift and support other women. I appreciate so much their guidance, their kindness and showing me how one uses their power and influence to help others. My journey was shaped and encouraged by them—which is really about how to make the physician environment more equitable, and to identify correct ways we can create more equity for women.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to have a career in medicine and/or science?
I would encourage it, of course. I believe women bring so much value to our environment. I would caution however, that even though it seems like women can do the same as men, we still are largely underrepresented when we get to upper leadership levels.
In your work, how do you feel you’ve made an impact on the lives of other women, either directly or indirectly?
I think I have given a voice to the issues that women feel, and I would like to say that I have also contributed to creating spaces where women feel comfortable. My hope is that I am also modeling a way of leading like a woman, which is creating community, being non-judgmental, and emulating Dr. Walker and Dr. McDonald by lifting up other women.
What are some of your future goals for your career?
Long term, I want to change culture, which is a heavy lift! The first steps are acknowledgment, as you can’t fix something that people fail to recognize is a problem. I think seeing the inequities is the first part—then putting solutions in place is the next. This process is more challenging than one would think, but I am taking it one step at a time. I feel fortunate to have support here at Children’s and at UW.
What do you enjoy doing during your time off, or for fun?
Well, I have three little boys, so we like to go on bike rides, play outside, baseball, travel. I like to cook a lot, too… 😊