The Unchanging Force in Medicine

On March 3, 2026, the world-renowned scrubs company FIGS released its annual International Women’s Month advertisement video. The video for this year encapsulates only a small spectrum of what women in the field of healthcare, which rapidly changes and evolves each day, still face in 2026. The company’s slogan for the ad was that through all the things that have changed in the years of medicine, the one constant is a woman’s commitment. Whether that be to her patients, dreams, or work ethic, the ad reinforces how impactful women in the medical field have been and continue to be in such an ever-changing environment.

The “NEVER CHANGE” ad piqued the interest of millions of people across the internet, inspiring and encouraging women to continue to be the force that doesn’t change. The ad quickly gained attention, reaching millions of views, thousands of shares and likes, and sparking conversation about the role women continue to play in healthcare today. However, the message beyond the campaign went far beyond the one-minute video. From the early practices of healing during the Stone Age to world wars and pandemics, women have consistently stood at the forefront of caring for others. While their contributions have remained constant, their recognition and representation have not. The history of women in healthcare is not only a story of resilience, but also the definition of what it means to be a leader in medicine.

Their impact dates far back into ancient civilizations. Women were recognized as primary caregivers, midwives, and healers. In ancient Egypt, midwives had knowledge of herbal remedies and medical treatments, which were provided to people living in Egypt and helped with diagnosing and treating the population. The journey continued in Greece, where a notable woman by the name of Agnodice disguised herself as a man to study medicine and advocate for women’s access to healthcare. A dean at California State University named Stephen Trzaskoma created a video where he interpreted the life Agnodice lived and how she would reveal her true identity to women when taking care of them.

As women in the healthcare field continued to push forward, larger obstacles came their way. For as long as countries had sent thousands of soldiers to fight for either economic, territorial, or political reasons, women were always there in support and aid for the situations at hand. During the First World War, the U.S. was in high demand for physicians in the workforce. Army Surgeon Generals sent out Army Medical Reserve Corps registration forms to all physicians. However, these forms did not specify a physician’s sex, allowing women to register and serve in the Army Medical Reserve Corps. These applications were rejected on the belief that women should not, or could not, handle the stressful environment that was needed for the battlefield.

This discussion was then pushed toward the Medical Women’s National Association (MWNA) to include women in the Army Medical Reserve Corps; however, all petitions were denied under the same circumstances. Their rejection did not change their end goal, but rather redirected them to find a better course of action to help. In an article discussing the role women physicians played in the First World War, the authors state, “the Medical Women’s National Association founded the American Women’s Hospitals (AMH). Led by Dr. Morton and later Dr. Lovejoy, AWH was the largest all-women’s medical group and would eventually become a clearinghouse for registering women interested in overseas war work.” During its first year, more than 1,000 women physicians were registered, allowing women to work overseas throughout the war. Today, the organization currently works as a place that raises and funds money toward relief efforts in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and medical schools across America.

More recently, the worldwide global pandemic, COVID-19, struck down thousands of hospitals across nations as the virus spread quickly throughout the world, leaving doctors, nurses, and specialists in high demand. This rapidly spreading disease did not corner women into leaving the workforce, but rather motivated them to fight for something greater. The article “The Female Frontline” dives into what the world was like during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and how women were always there, persevering through it all. Senior Pharmacist Jennifer Botang explained how she was terrified of receiving the virus, not in fear of her personal health, but for her family. Etleva Kadilli spoke about how the pandemic sparked a huge supply and logistics challenge for the world, which ultimately landed on her shoulders to find a solution. Despite all this, the women chose to place their lives at the forefront, to fight against unknown diseases, and to give back in a way that should never be forgotten.

As Women’s History Month has come and gone once more, I not only hope to educate those around me, but to continue educating myself on the countless accomplishments and breakthroughs women in healthcare have made throughout history. Women are a rising force, now comprising roughly 40% of all physicians and surgeons, 87% of nurses, and 37% of medical specialists, numbers that continue to grow each year. Yet behind each statistic is a story of perseverance, compassion, and leadership. From ancient healers and wartime physicians to the healthcare professionals who stood on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, women have continuously shaped the future of medicine. The FIGS “NEVER CHANGE” campaign celebrates that unwavering commitment, but it also serves as a reminder that while medicine continues to evolve, the dedication of women in healthcare has remained constant. The stories shared throughout this article only represent a fraction of the countless women whose contributions continue to transform healthcare and inspire future generations.

Work Cited

ProLink. “History of Women in Healthcare.” ProLink | Staffing and Recruitment Agency, 25 Apr. 2024, https://prolinkworks.com/perspectives/history-of-women-in-healthcare.

Marr, M. C., et al. “They Were There: American Women Physicians and the First World War.” The Permanente Journal, vol. 24, no. 3, 2020, pp. 1–4, https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/20.032.

“The Female Frontline.” UNICEF, https://www.unicef.org/stories/the-female-frontline. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.