Developing Future
Physician Leaders
Through clinical exposure, mentorship, and education in women’s health and maternal health equity
More Than Clinical Exposure
The Women's Health Leadership Initiative was founded on the belief that compassionate, culturally competent physicians who are equipped to address healthcare disparities were once students who received meaningful clinical exposure, intentional mentorship, and opportunities to grow as leaders.
WHLI uses women's health as a lens through which students explore medicine, leadership, advocacy, professionalism, and the Black maternal health crisis. Our goal is not simply to expose students to clinical medicine, but to help shape physicians who will deliver equitable, patient-centered care throughout their careers.
Why Women’s Health
Women’s health offers a unique lens through which students can explore nearly every dimension of medicine—from preventive care, surgery, and pregnancy to ethics, advocacy, communication, and health disparities.
Through these experiences, students learn that inequities in women’s healthcare are not solely the responsibility of obstetricians and gynecologists. Physicians across all specialties have a role in recognizing disparities, listening to patients, and improving health outcomes.
The WHLI Clinical Experience
The Women's Health Leadership Initiative offers students a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the practice of women's health through experiences in the outpatient clinic, operating room, labor and delivery, and one-on-one mentorship. Students gain firsthand insight into clinical decision-making, surgical care, interdisciplinary collaboration, professionalism, and compassionate, patient-centered medicine.
While the clinical experience is rooted in women's health, the lessons extend far beyond a single specialty. Whether your future lies in surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, or another field, WHLI is designed to help you build the clinical foundation, leadership skills, and commitment to health equity that will serve you throughout your medical career.
Meet the Founder
Dr. Sherley C. Samuels
Dr. Sherley Samuels is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist practicing in Covington, Georgia, with a special interest in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to educating and mentoring the next generation of physicians while advancing equitable, compassionate healthcare for women.
She founded the Women's Health Leadership Initiative to provide aspiring physicians with meaningful clinical exposure, intentional mentorship, and an understanding of the social and structural factors that influence patient outcomes. Through women's health, students gain insight into medicine, leadership, advocacy, professionalism, and the importance of addressing healthcare disparities throughout every specialty.
Dr. Samuels believes that the physicians who will transform healthcare tomorrow are shaped by the opportunities, mentorship, and experiences they receive today.
“I created WHLI because I believe every future physician deserves the opportunity to learn not only how to practice medicine—but how to change it."
Leadership
The Women's Health Leadership Initiative is guided by physician leaders, educators, and community advocates who share a vision of cultivating the next generation of compassionate, socially conscious physicians.
Take The Next Step
Students interested in participating in the Women’s Health Leadership Initiative are invited to email a current CV for consideration.
Before submitting, please review the program requirements carefully to confirm that you are eligible and able to complete the full clinical experience