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National Women Physicians Day

Far Rockaway, New York, February 3, 2025 — 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 Dr. Susana D. Bundoc, attending physician for Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Clinic; Dr. Cynthia Criss, Chairperson of Pediatrics, and Dr. Jacqueline Marecheau, Chairperson of Obstetrics & Gynecology to hear their insights on being doctors and serving the community. Read their inspiring interviews:


Susana D. Bundoc, MD, attending physician for Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Clinic

How long have you been with St. John’s Episcopal Hospital (EHS)? I have been at St. John’s Epsicopal Hospital for 21 years.

What do you enjoy most about working here? What I enjoy most about working here is seeing complex medical cases. It can be quite challenging.

What keeps you here? Teaching the medical residents.

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? When I was growing up in Manila, we used to visit my uncle, who was a doctor. He became my inspiration, and I idolized him. I can’t imagine anything more fulfilling than helping restore a person to health.

What do you find most rewarding about being a physician? The most rewarding part of being a physician is knowing in your heart that your intervention brought a patient from almost dying to being discharged in better health.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in medicine? Though medicine was previously considered a man’s world, women physicians are excelling, even in traditionally male-dominated specialties like surgery and orthopedics. You can do as well – and sometimes better – than a man.  It’s up to you to demonstrate through hard work, good study habits, diligent work ethics, kindness and compassion that being a good doctor transcends gender.

What does National Women Physicians Day mean to you? Though we get validation from our patients and peers through our work everyday, having a national celebration and thanksgiving for physicians draws positive attention and acknowledgment of the work we do. Similar to during the pandemic when people would stop and clap for the frontliners, it’s very heartwarming and makes me proud to be a physician.

How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare? As a clinician and full-time faculty, I directly impact the medical residents in my program.  Although there is a prescribed curriculum, a lot of what I share comes from my over 25 years of experience. The clinical pearls, how to establish rapport, discuss a patient’s condition, talk to relatives, those are what I model through my interactions. I’ve always strived to be a competent and caring physician, grateful for the privilege of my profession. Certainly we make a good living from our careers, but more importantly, we’ve been able to help our fellowmen, and that fulfillment is what makes all the years of study and difficulty worthwhile.

Cynthia Criss, DO, Chairperson, Department of Pediatrics

How long have you been with St. John’s Episcopal Hospital (EHS)? I started at Episcopal Health Services straight out of residency from Schneider Children’s (now Cohen Children’s Medical Center) in July 2000. During my residency, from 1997-2000, I had continuity clinic sessions at St John’s.

What do you enjoy most about working here? What keeps you here? I love the continuity with my patients and their families. I have enjoyed watching babies grow into parents themselves.

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? I was inspired to go into medicine by my doctor in high school, Dr Melvin King, who made me feel truly cared for and served as a terrific mentor to me. I always enjoyed working with children – I was a camp counselor for children with special needs, worked at the YMCA in their after-school program and spent time in daycare settings. Pursuing a career in pediatrics felt like a natural progression.

What do you find most rewarding about being a physician? The most rewarding part is being able to make a family’s life just a little bit easier by assisting with the care of their child. 

What advice would you give to women considering a career in medicine? I would advise young women to follow their heart and dreams when choosing a career. When you are doing what you desire, the challenges you face along the way become worthwhile.

What does National Women Physicians Day mean to you? It is wonderful that women in healthcare are recognized for their work and the sacrifices they have made to build a career in medicine. 

How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare? I strive to set a good example for our medical students by demonstrating how patients should be treated with respect and empathy. I hope they see how rewarding it can be to build strong, meaningful relationships with patients and their families.

Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chairperson, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

How long have you been with St. John’s Episcopal Hospital (EHS)? I have been with St. John’s Episcopal Hospital for 5 years.

What do you enjoy most about working here? What I enjoy most about working at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is the mission-driven environment and the opportunity to serve a diverse, underserved community. This hospital’s deep commitment to addressing healthcare disparities and advancing equity, aligns perfectly with my personal and professional values.

What keeps you here? What keeps me here is the sense of purpose I feel every day—whether it’s collaborating with a dedicated team of colleagues, creating meaningful programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes, or empowering patients to take charge of their health. I’m also inspired by the vision of our leadership and the transformative work we are doing to create a state-of-the-art Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum (LDRP) unit.

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? I’ve always been drawn to helping others, particularly those in vulnerable situations. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the challenges many people face in accessing quality healthcare. This sparked a desire to make a difference and address those inequities. Medicine became the natural path for me because it combined my love of science with a deep passion for service.

Additionally, my parents, who were pillars of strength and resilience, served as my inspiration. Their stories of perseverance in the face of adversity pushed me to pursue a career where I could not only heal but also advocate for those who often go unheard.

What do you find most rewarding about being a physician? The most rewarding aspect of being a physician is the privilege of being trusted by patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Whether it’s bringing new life into the world or guiding a patient through a difficult health challenge, these moments are profoundly humbling and fulfilling.

I also find immense satisfaction in addressing healthcare disparities and improving access to care for underserved populations. Knowing that my work has a lasting impact—not just on individual patients but on the broader community—fuels my passion every day.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in medicine? To women considering a career in medicine, I would say: Go for it. Medicine is a challenging field, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You have the power to bring unique perspectives and much-needed diversity to healthcare.

I would also encourage women to seek mentors and build a strong support network. This journey can be demanding, but having people who believe in you and support your growth makes a significant difference. Don’t be afraid to take up space, ask questions, and advocate for yourself. Your voice and contributions are invaluable.

What does National Women Physicians Day mean to you? National Women Physicians Day is a celebration of the countless contributions women have made to medicine throughout history, often in the face of significant challenges and barriers. For me, it’s a time to reflect on the trailblazing women who I walk alongside—women like Dr. Uché Blackstock, who is paving the way for future generations of female physicians with her New York Times best seller “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine.”

It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the progress we’ve made while recognizing there’s still work to do. As women, we bring unique strengths to healthcare, and this day serves as a reminder of our resilience, leadership, and impact.

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 leading by example. I strive to show that it’s possible to balance compassion, leadership, and advocacy while making a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Through mentorship and sharing my own journey, I want young women to see that there is a place for them in medicine—regardless of their background or circumstances. I also hope to empower them to think beyond traditional roles and embrace opportunities to drive systemic change.

Finally, I want to inspire future healthcare leaders to prioritize inclusion. By fostering an environment where diverse voices are heard and valued, we can create a healthcare system that truly serves everyone, most importantly, a seat at the table!


About Episcopal Health Services

Episcopal Health Services Inc., (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. The system provides emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved Rockaways and Five Towns populations. The system provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic treatment, and rehabilitative services, regardless of their ability to pay.