ACC.24, held in April in Atlanta, GA, was a whirlwind of excitement, education and new experiences. This was my first-ever ACC conference and I was invited as a member of the ACC Women's Cohort in the Internal Medicine Cardiology Program. I spent some time in the Women in Cardiology (WIC) Lounge and one session I attended was particularly meaningful. The session "Reproductive Family Planning and Fertility: What all WIC Need to Know" included two attendings from my own hospital, and the overall panel talked about their personal paths to motherhood.

The topic of fertility was not something I had given much thought to before. I had always assumed that after training I would have a stable partner and still have a few reproductive years left to squeeze in having children. It never occurred to me that for many women things aren't always so straightforward when they start their family after their training.

Each panel speaker had a personal story – a complicated delivery, prior miscarriages requiring IVF or multiple rounds of egg harvesting for cryopreservation. Despite their unique stories, each panelist talked about the personal and professional stress they endured during their fertility journey, and described how isolating these experiences were. Seeing others in the crowd nodding their head  it was clear the speakerswere not the only ones with this experience. I realized that some of the hardest challenges female physicians face are often endured alone.

Although I felt like I had known my attendings quite well before the weekend at ACC.24,  I realized there is much more to learn from their experiences as women who are cardiologists beyond their clinical knowledge and professional guidance. As they have made their way in the still male-dominated field, I am thankful they are willing to talk openly about the challenges they have faced .  Hosting panels such as this, with frank discussions on vulnerable topics like struggles with fertility brings to light the difficult experiences that are rarely talked about. Providing space to openly share these stories not only strengthens the bonds between those who have had similar challenges, but also provides guidance and support to the future generation of aspiring cardiologists.

My experience at ACC.24 gave just a glimpse of the professional life that was before me. With much to learn and many new opportunities to come, there are undoubtedly going to be a few struggles along the way. However, with the continued guidance and mentorship of ACC's WIC Member Section I realized I will not have to face these challenges alone.

Visit the podcast series "Conversations Around Fertility and Reproductive Health" sponsored by ACC's Women in Cardiology Section for more information on family planning during training.

This article was authored by Alexis Coulis, MD, an internal medicine resident at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.