06 March 2026
At BSR, International Women’s Day is not just a moment of recognition. It is a lens through which we examine how far we have come, and what we must endeavour to achieve next. Let’s take a journey through the past, present and future of women’s achievements in rheumatology.
The Past: Dr Barbara Ansell’s Foundations
Dr Barbara Ansell (1923–2001), a pioneer of paediatric rheumatology in the UK, transformed the care of children with chronic arthritis at a time when the specialty barely existed.
She helped define and classify childhood arthritic diseases, moving beyond broad, imprecise labels and laying the groundwork for modern understanding. Her research into safer steroid regimens, disease outcomes and multidisciplinary care reshaped clinical practice. She championed collaboration with orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists and families themselves-long before “multidisciplinary care” became standard language.
Just as importantly, she trained generations of clinicians who went on to establish specialist units across the UK and internationally. Her influence did not end with her own research; it exponentially multiplied through the people she mentored.
Today’s paediatric rheumatology services wouldn’t be nearly as established and structured as they are, without Dr Barbara Ansell’s vital work.
Don’t miss the extraordinary Barbara Ansell Address at this years Annual Conference, delivered by Dr Kimme Hyrich, and read more about Dr Ansell here.
The Present: Voices Shaping Today’s Practice
Today, these important conversations continue in new formats and spaces.
In the latest episode of the BSR Spotlight Podcast, our host Jess Little is joined by Dr Oseme Etomi and Dr Beth Goulden to explore the best ways support women with inflammatory musculoskeletal disease through pregnancy.
The discussion spans the full journey-from pre-conception counselling to postpartum care. It tackles planned versus unplanned pregnancy, fertility myths, contraception (including APS considerations), medication safety, disease monitoring during pregnancy, autoantibody risks, and the importance of coordinated multidisciplinary care.
The conversation reflects the complexity of women’s health and reinforces a simple truth: pregnancy in the context of inflammatory disease requires informed planning, clear communication and confident clinical decision-making.
And while it’s not covered in the episode itself, there’s some compelling historical context to note - Dr Beth Goulden is the great-great niece of Emmeline Pankhurst. A reminder that advocacy for women’s rights and leadership echoes across generations in unexpected ways.
As a leading voice in our specialty, we are dedicated to ensuring inclusivity and equity in every part of the rheumatological journey – from the clinicians we celebrate for their achievements, to the accurate care we deliver to our patients. Our guideline working groups, actively shaping the future of the treatments we use, are predominantly made up of women (62.5%), with many in positions of leadership as chairs or co-chairs.
International Women’s Day cannot just be about historic figures; it is about highlighting current clinicians, researchers and educators who are shaping modern care, challenging inequities and broadening representation within the specialty.
Listen to the insightful episode here.
The Future: Women’s Health, Pregnancy and Rheumatology
If the past was about defining disease and building services, the future is about precision, partnership and patient-centred care - particularly in women’s health.
On the 10th March, a trainees’ webinar will focus on Women’s Health & Pregnancy in Rheumatology. Hosted by Dr Hirushi Jayasekera and delivered by Dr Oseme Etomi, the session aligns closely with the current rheumatology curriculum and tackles one of the most critical areas of practice.
The webinar will explore:
- Pre-pregnancy counselling and disease activity control
- The use of cDMARDs and bDMARDs in pregnancy
- Postpartum care and drug management
- Supportive services for patients navigating pregnancy with rheumatic disease
Pregnancy in patients with rheumatic conditions demands careful planning, shared decision-making and confident knowledge of evolving evidence. This is essential learning for trainees and an opportunity to strengthen coordinated care for the wider multidisciplinary team. Sign up to this valuable webinar here.
International Women’s Day reminds us that progress in medicine is not automatic, it is intentional. It requires leaders like Dr Ansell who redefine what is possible, clinicians like Dr Kimme L. Hyrich to amplify new voices, and educators to prepare the next generation to handle complex, real-world care.