Listening to the Next Generation: Reflections on Women in FHIR and Tech

Two years ago, we introduced the Women for FHIR initiative at FHIR DevDays with a dual purpose: to create a space for women in the FHIR and health tech community to connect and grow, and to shine a light on female healthcare from a technology perspective. Since then, I’ve had the honor of leading this effort, and it has deeply shaped my own thinking on inclusion, equity, and what it means to truly move the needle. 

Recently, ahead of the student track at DevDays, I met with a group of female medical informatics students. It was an informal online call — just an open invitation to connect and talk about their experiences as women in tech, and more specifically, in FHIR. 

I usually interact with people who are already established in their careers. But I realized that to understand how our field is evolving — and should evolve — we need to listen to those just beginning the journey. Social change isn’t just passed down; it’s built generation by generation.  

The conversation was eye-opening. 

Fear and Belonging 

The first theme to emerge was fear — words like scary and anxiety surfaced quickly. These young women described how intimidating it feels to enter a room full of highly experienced professionals, often older, and from different backgrounds and cultures. That creeping sense of “I don’t belong here” is all too familiar. And as we discussed, it’s not always a judgment coming from others — more often, it’s a projection we place on ourselves. 

While self-doubt isn’t exclusive to women, it often hits us harder. At something like FHIR DevDays, where people can seem impossibly smart and accomplished, it’s easy to feel out of place. But, as we discussed, the reality is often the opposite: once you ask a question or seek help, the community is overwhelmingly kind and supportive. 

The real challenge is breaking through that internal barrier. That’s where all of us — women, men, everyone — can play a role. Simply being aware, open, and encouraging makes a difference. 

Modesty and Missed Voices 

Another point that struck me was the tendency toward modesty—closely tied to self-doubt. Some of the most brilliant people I’ve met are also the quietest at first. If we as a community don’t make a conscious effort to include and uplift those voices, we’re not just failing them — we’re missing out on incredible talent. 

Inclusion isn’t charity. It’s common sense. And it’s not hard. A simple recipe emerged from our conversation be kind, be welcoming, introduce newcomers to others, and offer help when you notice someone hesitating. Small gestures can have a huge impact. 

Inclusion for All 

One thing we were all clear on: inclusion must not become its own form of exclusion. Women for FHIR is not about women versus men. In fact, one of the best examples we discussed was breast cancer research — a field where men, despite being potential patients, are almost entirely left out of studies and screenings. 

So yes, while gender is an important lens, it’s not the only one. Real inclusion considers race, culture, identity, age, and more. Creating space for one group should never come at the expense of another. 

The Road Ahead 

Finally, and perhaps the most sobering insight from our conversation: we still have a long way to go. A number of students mentioned that choosing a computer science-related study often doesn’t feel like a natural option for girls. The perception that “this is a male thing” still runs deep. Several only realized they liked informatics later in their educational journey — sometimes by chance.  

That tells me we need to start earlier. We need to inspire younger girls and show them: this field is for you too. And we need today’s students to be the role models of tomorrow.  

Keep Listening, Keep Evolving 

As for me, this meeting reminded me how important it is to keep listening — and to keep evolving our approach. What began as a mission to support women in tech has grown into something broader, more inclusive, and more reflective of the real diversity in our community.  

If you’re part of this space, I hope you’ll take the time to welcome a newcomer, uplift a quieter voice, or simply offer encouragement. It matters. 

Let’s keep making space. Let’s keep reaching out. Let’s build a tech culture — and a healthcare system — where everyone feels they belong, from day one.