#PlayInTheTopLeague
“Where are your children now?”
Martina Humez, Manager Medical Training
"I am a ‘working mom on the road’; my life moves between bone cement and children's laughter. My world is orthopedics and the natural sciences. These are male-dominated fields with hard edges, whether in academia, in the workplace, or in the boardroom. And with the typical questions that accompany you as a woman from an early age: “Why are you here and not taking care of your family?” Or even: “Mothers in leadership positions? Never.”
Balancing career and family
Women are rare in the world of orthopedics and in the natural sciences in general, as well as in the training of doctors and surgical staff. Working mothers are even rarer. My role requires travel, lecturing, and training doctors — a major point of discussion when I took the job. Would male doctors take me seriously? Would I be able to travel despite having children? And then there was the constant question: “Where are your children now?” or “How do you balance that with your family?” Skepticism followed me like a persistent shadow. I have encountered a lot of headwinds along the way. But that is exactly what motivates me. I want to show that it is possible. That women in prominent positions can also be mothers. That they can pursue their careers with passion and still be there for their families. I want to be a role model and pave the way for myself, my children, and other women, showing that career and family are not mutually exclusive.
How the job fits into life
The path is not easy. In the Nordic countries, it has long been a reality: 50/50 division of labor, flexible working models, while in Germany I am fighting against invisible barriers. This is especially true in the natural sciences, where traditional role models stand like concrete pillars. But change begins with those who exemplify it. Employers play a crucial role in this. Only then can I create a working model that fits my life — with my husband as an equal partner and with Heraeus Medical, which enables flexible structures.”
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