ABOUT Kolleen
Be the Hero of Your STORY
Dr. Kolleen Dougherty is a dynamic keynote speaker, author, certified life coach, and Ivy League-trained, double board-certified anesthesiologist and critical care physician.
With over two decades of leadership in the high-pressure, male-dominated world of medicine, she brings firsthand insight into what holds women back-and what it takes to rise.
Drawing from her powerful book Doctoring While Female, Kolleen shares compelling stories, coaching wisdom, and actionable strategies to help women break free from limiting beliefs and systemic barriers. Her talks are more than inspiring-they're empowering. Audiences leave with practical tools, renewed confidence, and a bold new vision for what's possible for themselves.
Kolleen Dougherty, MD, FASA is a Harvard-trained, double board-certified anesthesiologist and critical care physician with over 24 years at a Level 1 trauma center. An Ivy League graduate, she is also a certified life and career coach, speaker, and author of the upcoming book Doctoring While Female: The Personal and National Toll of Gender Inequity in Medicine.
She brings extensive public speaking experience in high-stakes clinical and academic settings. Dr. Dougherty has delivered keynotes, including for the Maine Society of Anesthesiologists, and led hospital-wide Grand Rounds on topics like gender bias, leadership, and professional identity. She has taught and mentored medical students and residents through lectures, case discussions, and interactive teaching.
As a coach, she facilitates workshops for physicians facing burnout, discrimination, and leadership challenges. Whether addressing clinicians, trainees, or coaching clients, she speaks with clarity, courage, and compassion—grounded in lived experience and driven to inspire change.
She is also a wife and proud mother of four, including a college graduate and three current college students.
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Professional Facts:
Undergraduate degree- Emory University: BA. Chemistry, BA Biology
Medical School -Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons
Residency - Brigham & Womens Hospital- Anesthesiology
Fellowship- Massachusetts General Hospital- Critical Care
Keynote Speaker - I speak on stage to help professionals recognize and overcome burnout and bias, reclaim their voice, and achieve their fullest potential.
Professional Life Coach- Drawing on my training at The Life Coach School, I guide women to own their story and understand how thoughts shape actions, and actions create results.
Former Victim, Current Advocate- I know what it feels like to be sidelined for defying gender expectations, and I know how to confront bias, call it out, demand accountability, and drive meaningful change.
FUN FACTS
I had 4 children in 5 1/2 years - but they are now grown, with 3 in college and one a college graduate at her “ big girl job”. I also have two adorable fur babies- standard poodles, named Maizie & Jamie.
I married my husband 25 years ago after meeting at a ski conference at Whistler- Blackcomb, even though I had never skied before
I love flowers, the ocean and all things yellow or pink!
My favorite movie is “A Few Good Men”- it has everything: military, courtroom drama, up and coming stars, and Tom Cruise.
I can never remember good ole American sayings- like “the pot calling the kettle silver”
CURRENTLY MY FAVORITE MOTTO IS :
“YOU MISS 100% OF THE SHOTS YOU DON’T TAKE. “
A common truth that extends beyond the hockey rink, was spoken by none other than hockey icon Wayne Gretzky.
. Take risks, follow your passion and seize opportunities.
Don’t wait for all the perfect conditions to go for your dreams.
Just take action.
Dreams will never become reality unless you take a shot at them and take action.
BUY KOLLEEN’S BOOK
DOCTORING WHILE FEMALE:
THE PERSONAL AND NATIONAL TOLL OF GENDER INEQUITY IN MEDICINE
