How a Woman’s Perseverance Paved the Way in Woman’s Medicine

Q: What were your biggest challenges as a woman when you first started in medicine and how did you overcome them?

A: The challenges were myriad when applying to medical school. At the interview, we had to convince the interviewer that we were sincere and had no plans for a family. We had to assure them we weren’t taking a man’s place but would devote our lives to medicine. Our grades and MCAT applications had to be exemplary. As I was not involved with a man and had no future plans for marriage and children, I was able to convince them of my sincere desire to become an M.D..

Q: What do you think are the biggest challenges women are faced with today & how have they changed?

A: Women now consist of more than 50% of the incoming classes and have shown over time that we are equally successful in proceeding to graduation. Subtle undercurrents and biases still exist if women continue to live a full life with marriage and families, One man complained to me that he resented when a colleague was given one hour during the day to pump milk for her infant. His comment, “Why should she be paid for pumping and not seeing patients. I get to carry her load. “We are still considered unreliable due to female issues. Most of my female colleagues tend to volunteer for more extra work and often have to pay ahead with night and weekend calls to help cover time off for her delivery.  Also there is resentment when they are called home for a sick child or a nanny saying he or she has to leave suddenly.”

Q: What would your advice be for a woman who is looking to have a full time career in medicine and is also looking to have a family?

A: My best advice for a woman who desires a career in medicine is to think carefully about child care when they are at work and how to spend quality care with their children when they have time off. Also they need a sharing partner. Women with parents nearby are the luckiest if they are willing to help with the care of their grandchildren. 

Q: How did Dr. Frank Gerbode impact your career in medicine?

A: Frank was a mentor, friend and surrogate father to me. He guided me toward getting all my letters stating I would need them in the future. With his guidance, I passed all my specialty boards, obtained my fellowships in the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians. He encouraged me to pursue a faculty position at UCSF and my full professorship. He taught me a great deal about blue water sailing and my husband and I were crew on his lovely 44 foot Swan sailing vessel to Kauai from San Francisco. This was a never to be forgotten adventure in inclement weather, enduring seasickness and difficulties with our six member crew. He made me a better person.

Q: Please tell us about “The Magic Bag”?

A: At thirteen, I developed a serious case of gastroenteritis. After about two days of my mother’s remedies I wanted to die. I just couldn’t keep anything down, including water. My mom called the family doctor who came to the house after his clinic closed. Dr. Hohenstein opened his magic black bag full of instruments, vials, syringes, and pills and proceeded to give me a complete exam after asking several questions. He gave me a suppository, a shot in my butt and some pills. By morning, I was hungry and had no more diarrhea. I was so excited about his magic bag that I decided I wanted to be a doctor.  I told my mother who responded. “That’s nice dear, eat your breakfast.”