UF Health Science Center Libraries to host "Changing the Face of Medicine" traveling exhibition

Women doctors are the focus of a new traveling exhibition opening Aug. 30 at the UF Health Science Center Libraries.

"Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America's Women Physicians" tells the extraordinary story of how American women who wanted to practice medicine have struggled over the past two centuries to gain access to medical education and to work in the specialty of their choosing.

The exhibit focuses on women physicians, including UF's Rebecca Rainer Pauly, M.D., associate chair of the department of medicine for medical student education. Pauly, one of only two women from Florida included in the exhibition, will speak at the opening reception Aug. 30.

The public is invited to discover the many ways that women have influenced and enhanced all areas of health science and health care by attending the exhibit and the complementary events, which involve participants from all six HSC colleges.

Since the mid 1800s, when Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in America to earn an M.D. degree, women have made enormous strides. Women physicians are now active in every branch of medicine. They are educators, surgeons, family practitioners, specialists, government officials and researchers on the cutting edge of new medical discoveries.

"Women have brought fresh perspectives to the medical profession," said Donald A.B. Lindberg, M.D., director of the National Library of Medicine. "They have turned the spotlight on issues that had previously received little attention, such as the social and economic costs of illnesses and the low numbers of women and minorities entering medical school and practice."

Two interactive kiosks traveling with the exhibition offer access to the National Library of Medicine's "Local Legends" Web site www.nlm.nih.gov/locallegends, which features outstanding women physicians from every state, and the exhibition's own Web site www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine.

Women physicians in the 21st century are benefiting from the career paths carved out since the midᆧth century by a long line of American women. Some early physicians featured in the exhibition are Matilda Evans, the first black physician to be licensed in South Carolina, and Florence Sabin, one of the earliest woman physicians to work as a research scientist. Among the many other doctors featured in the exhibition are Antonia Novello, the first woman surgeon general of the United States, and Catherine DeAngelis, the first woman to be appointed editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"We are delighted to have been selected as a site for this exhibition," said Faith A. Meakin, M.L.S., director of the UF Health Science Center Libraries. "Although 'Changing the Face of Medicine' focuses on women in medicine, its lessons about persistence, dedication and courage in one's life choices speak to everyone-men and women and young adults-and to people in all lines of work."

The National Library of Medicine and the American Library Association organized the traveling exhibition with support from the NLM, the National Institutes of Health Office of Research on Women's Health and the American Medical Women's Association. It is based on a larger exhibition that was displayed at the NLM from 2003 - 05.

The UF Health Science Center Libraries are sponsoring free programs and other events for the public in connection with the exhibition, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. Call Ned Davis at 352- 392- 2362 or e-mail Ned Davis for more information, or visit the library's Web site at Library to preregister for several events in August and September.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Aug. 30: Opening Celebration

Ribbon-cutting and welcoming remarks from Faith Meakin, director of UF HSC Libraries; Rebecca Pauly, M.D., who is honored as a 'Local Legend' within the exhibition; and Vivian Filer, one of the College of Nursing's earliest black graduates, to be followed by a reception from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the library's first floor. Deans' Roundtable on "The Changing Face of Health Science - Deans on Diversity In Their Professions." HSC college deans will speak briefly about the changing roles and achievements of women within their colleges over the last 50 years; Dr. Janie Fouke, UF Provost, will then moderate a discussion with the deans. From 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., HPNP Auditorium.

Sept. 8: Keynote speech

Regina Morantz-Sanchez, Ph.D., a professor of history at the University of Michigan, speaks on "Gynecological Surgery and Public Controversy: Dr. Mary Dixon-Jones on trial, 1892" at 3 p.m. in the MSB Auditorium, followed by a light reception at the library.

Sept. 12: "Whatever Happened to the Women's Health Movement?"

Part 1: Lectures - "The Influence of the Women's Health Movement on Healthcare Today." Byllye Avery, M.Ed., founder of the National Black Women's Health Project and recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant, and Betsy Randall David, R.N., Ph.D., Center for Creative Education, will both speak, offering historical and sociopolitical perspectives on women's influence on health care (birthing options/pelvic exam training, etc.) at noon in Communicore Room C1- 11. Lunch will be provided.

Part 2: Panel discussion - "Whatever Happened to the Women's Health Movement? Mary Ann Burg, L.C.S.W., Ph.D., director of UF's Women's Health Research Center, will moderate a panel discussion from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Reitz Union, Room 361. Speakers will be drawn from the original founders of the Gainesville Women's Health Center, including Byllye Avery, Betsy Randall David, Randi Cameon, Marilyn Mesh and others. A reception will follow.

Sept. 19: HSC talk at noon Nina Stoyan-Rosenzweig, historian and Health Science Center archivist, will speak on "Women and the Health Center" at noon in Communicore Room C1- 15. Lunch will be provided.

Sept. 20: Health-care career fair The HSC Libraries and the UF Center for Precollegiate Education & Training will host a health-care career fair for students from Gainesville high schools. Planned events include a demonstration of "Stan," the Human Patient Simulator; interaction with HSC students discussing their paths "From High School to Here;" and several hands-on demonstrations from staff in various fields called "This is What I Do and Why I Love It." It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at locations around the HSC and the library.

Sept. 26: HSC talk at noon Donna Parker, M.D., UF College of Medicine assistant dean for minority cultural affairs and a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics, will speak at noon on "African-American Women in Medicine," to close out September's AMA-sponsored Women in Medicine Month in Communicore Room C1- 15. Lunch will be provided.