EP167: Beyond the Operating Room: Dr. Celeste Royce on Mentorship and Equity

Navigating Medicine with Dr. Celeste Royce: Mentorship, Motherhood, and Advocacy

In this episode of The Girl Doc Survival Guide, Dr. Celeste Royce, a Harvard Medical School OB/GYN educator with over 35 years of experience, shares insights from her comprehensive career. Dr. Royce discusses her journey from initial medical school fears to her love for OB/GYN, shaped by camaraderie and a pivotal surgery block experience. She reflects on her challenges as a female physician, including balancing motherhood and her profession in a male-dominated field. Dr. Royce highlights the significance of mentorship, equitable access to hidden medical curriculum knowledge, and advocating for academic freedom. The episode also delves into her personal experiences with maternity leave, the importance of choosing the right time to have children, and the pivotal role support systems play. Furthermore, Dr. Royce discusses her advocacy work, particularly a legal challenge with the ACLU over censorship of her gender-inclusive research on endometriosis. She emphasizes the importance of speaking out, mentorship, and understanding that life’s different phases dictate the focus and balance in one's career and personal life.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Celeste Royce

00:59 Dr. Royce's Journey into OB/GYN

02:22 Mentorship and Leadership in Medicine

04:27 Balancing Motherhood and a Medical Career

08:37 Advice for Aspiring Physicians

15:35 Advocating for Academic Freedom

19:19 Final Thoughts and Reflections