National Women Physicians Day

Far Rockaway, New York, February 3, 2026 — Today, on National Women Physicians Day, we honor the contributions of women in medicine and celebrate those who continue to inspire future generations of doctors. 

At Episcopal Health Services we’re proud to have many exceptional women physicians on our team. We spoke with:

• Yating Lee, DO, FAAFP – Family Medicine & Primary Care Physician
• Karina Appel, MD – Internal Medicine & Primary Care Physician and Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program
• Rachel Gordon, MD – General & Colorectal Surgery Physician
• Jedidah Nuamah, DO – Obstetrics & Gynecology Physician
• Rita Jammal, MD – Chief of Infectious Diseases

Yating Lee, DO, FAAFP

Family Medicine & Primary Care Physician

How long have you been with EHS? I have been with EHS since I began my residency here in 2009. After completing my residency, I became an attending physician, and EHS has remained my professional home ever since. It has truly been a lifelong journey for me here.

What do you enjoy most about working here? What I enjoy most about working at EHS is the opportunity to care for complex cases while building long-term relationships with my patients and their families. I value being able to care for my patients over time and watch their progress. Seeing their smiles when they feel better is incredibly meaningful to me. I also deeply appreciate the teamwork at EHS — the collaboration with supportive staff and residents makes this an exceptional place to work.

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? My inspiration to pursue medicine began in Taiwan, my home country. I grew up seeing physicians who truly cared for their patients and worked closely with families. Their dedication left a lasting impression on me and they encouraged me to consider medicine as a career. What continues to inspire me is the sense of growing alongside families — being present through different stages of their lives and supporting them through health challenges. This journey has made me feel like I am growing together with the families I serve.

What do you find most rewarding about being a physician? The most rewarding part about being a physician is helping patients better understand their health and gain access to the care and medications they need. Many patients face challenges navigating the healthcare system, especially in our community. Being able to make a difference, address barriers to care and watch patients regain confidence in managing their health is incredibly fulfilling. Seeing them improve and leave the office with relief and a smile truly fuels my passion.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in medicine? My advice to women considering a career in medicine is simple: go for it. Follow your heart and pursue what truly inspires you. No matter which specialty you choose, stay true to your passion. There will be challenges along the way, but once you overcome them, the rewards are tremendous and deeply meaningful.

What does National Women Physicians Day mean to you? National Women Physicians Day is a meaningful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in medicine. It highlights the dedication, knowledge and impact women physicians bring to healthcare every day. It is also an important reminder that women’s work in medicine continues to deserve recognition and appreciation.

How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare? I hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare through mentorship, example and advocacy. As an attending physician, I feel privileged to help set standards for how patients should be treated — with respect, compassion and dignity — and to pass those values on to residents and students. My approach is “see one, do one, teach one,” and I strive to show how rewarding and impactful a career in medicine can be. I hope to empower future women physicians by giving them opportunities, guidance and confidence as they grow in their careers.

Karina Appel, MD

Internal Medicine & Primary Care Physician and Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program

How long have you been with EHS? I have been with EHS for nearly 4 years, including my residency in Internal Medicine.

What do you enjoy most about working here? What I enjoy most about working at EHS is the culture of collaborative excellence. When you are surrounded by diverse professionals who all prioritize growth, where people feel safe, valued and empowered to contribute, it creates an environment where everyone can thrive.

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? I was drawn to medicine by the unique intersection of science and story. I wanted a career where the complexity of science met the raw, human experience of helping someone through their most vulnerable moments.

What do you find most rewarding about being a physician? What I find most rewarding about being a physician is the positive impact I can have on a patient’s life, including alleviating suffering, restoring health, and helping them live better.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in medicine? My advice to women considering a career in medicine is: Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to begin. Take the first steps if you’re passionate, as opportunities can be missed by delaying.

What does National Women Physicians Day mean to you? National Women Physicians Day serves as a reminder that any dream can be achieved through dedication and perseverance, regardless of gender or race.

How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare? As an Associate Program Director of Internal Medicine, I hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare by educating them about career paths and opportunities and guiding them through the process of achieving their goals.

Rachel Gordon, MD

General & Colorectal Surgery Physician

How long have you been with EHS? I have been with EHS for 7 months.

What do you enjoy most about working here? What I most enjoy about working at EHS is the close-knit community of providers that are dedicated to helping our patients and supporting each other.

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? What inspired me to pursue a career in medicine is the enjoyment I find in helping patients at their most vulnerable time prior to surgery; supporting them during a scary time and reassuring them that they are well taken care of.

What do you find most rewarding about being a physician? What I find most rewarding about being a physician is the ability to help people that are ill. I also find it extremely rewarding to teach residents and educate the future generation.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in medicine? My advice to women considering a career in medicine is: You can have it all! Family, children and a rewarding career.

What does National Women Physicians Day mean to you? National Women Physicians Day is a good time to support other women as physicians and in their leadership roles, professionally and personally.

How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare? I hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare by setting an example of how to provide conscientious, evidence-based and compassionate care.

Jedidah Nuamah, DO

Obstetrics & Gynecology Physician

How long have you been with EHS? I have been with EHS for almost 6 years, starting with my OB/GYN residency training and then becoming an attending physician.

What do you enjoy most about working here? What I most enjoy about working at EHS is the people. I enjoy working alongside people dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes.

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? What inspired me to pursue a career in medicine is the fact that I grew up in a community that lacked women physicians, especially in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. I am also inspired by the need to help improve black maternal health care and access.

What do you find most rewarding about being a physician? What I find most rewarding about being a physician is the ability to change a patient’s life and health outcomes.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in medicine? My advice to women considering a career in medicine is: If you have a passion or interest in medicine, follow suit. Find a mentor, shadow people in different careers in medicine and see what sparks your interest the most.

What does National Women Physicians Day mean to you? To me, National Women Physicians Day means acknowledging the impact women have on the advancement of medicine. It means making space to celebrate the hard work, dedication and commitment many women (past and present) have contributed to this field.

How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare? I hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare through my life’s work in women’s healthcare, mentorship and advocacy work.

Rita Jammal, MD

Chief of Infectious Diseases

How long have you been with EHS? I have been with EHS for almost four years. I am a full-time Infectious Disease attending physician and currently serve as an Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program.

What do you enjoy most about working at EHS? What I enjoy most about working at EHS is the supportive and welcoming environment. EHS truly feels like a big family. Everyone is friendly, collaborative and genuinely invested in each other’s success and well-being.

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? What inspired me to pursue a career in medicine is my love of learning and my desire to help others in a meaningful way. Caring for patients, seeing them improve and knowing that my work can positively impact their lives is incredibly fulfilling and feels like a truly selfless act.

What do you find most rewarding about being a physician? What I find most rewarding about being a physician is helping patients heal and supporting them during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Being able to make a difference—both medically and emotionally—is a privilege I never take for granted.

What advice would you give women considering a career in medicine? My advice to women considering a career in medicine is: Push your limits, believe in yourselves, and pursue your dreams without hesitation. Women bring compassion, intelligence, perseverance and strength to medicine—qualities that are deeply needed in healthcare today. There is room for women to thrive and lead in this field.

What does National Women Physicians Day mean to you? National Women Physicians Day is a meaningful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the dedication, resilience and achievements of women in medicine. It honors the hard work and sacrifices women physicians make every day, while also highlighting the importance of representation, equity and leadership in healthcare.

How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare? I hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare by showing that strong, independent women can excel not only in patient care but also in leadership roles. I want young women to see that it is possible to balance a fulfilling career in medicine with personal growth, confidence and a full life—and to know that they belong in every space they aspire to occupy.