Susan M. Latta - Bold Women of Medicine: 21 Stories of Astounding Discoveries, Daring Surgeries, and Healing Breakthroughs

M eet 21 determined women who have dedicated their lives to healing others. In the 19th century, Florence Nightingale and Clara Bartonthe Lady with the Lamp and the Angel of the Battlefieldearned their nicknames by daring to enter battlefields to aid wounded soldiers, forever changing the standards of medicine. Modern-day medical heroines such as Bonnie Simpson Mason, who harnessed the challenges of her chronic illness and founded an organization to introduce women and minorities to orthopedic surgery, and Kathy Magliato, who jumped the hurdles to become a talented surgeon in the male-dominated arena of heart transplants, will inspire any young reader interested in the art, science, and life-changing applications of medicine. Lovers of adventure will follow Mary Carson Breckinridge, the nurse on horseback who delivered babies in the Appalachian Mountains and believed that everyone, including our poorest and most vulnerable citizens, deserve good health care, and Jerri Nielsen, the doctor stationed in Antarctica who, cut off from help, had to bravely treat her own breast cancer. These and 15 other daring women inspire with their courage, persistence, and belief in the power of both science and compassion.

Packed with photos and informative sidebars and including source notes and a bibliography, Bold Women of Medicine is an invaluable addition to any students or aspiring doctor or nurses bookshelf.

To Rob, Ryan, Kristen, and Robbie: all my love.

Copyright 2017 by Susan M. Latta

All rights reserved

Foreword copyright 2017 by Gina Routh

All rights reserved

Published by Chicago Review Press Incorporated

814 North Franklin Street

Chicago, Illinois 60610

ISBN 978-1-61373-437-7

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Latta, Susan M.

Title: Bold women of medicine : 21 stories of astounding discoveries, daring surgeries, and healing breakthroughs / Susan M. Latta.

Description: Chicago, Illinois : Chicago Review Press, [2017] | Audience: Age 12+ | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016057949 (print) | LCCN 2016058484 (ebook) | ISBN 9781613734377 (cloth : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781613734384 (pdf) | ISBN 9781613734407 (epub) | ISBN 9781613734391 ( Kindle)

Subjects: LCSH: Women in medicineBiography. | Women in medicineHistory. | Women physiciansBiography. | Women physiciansHistory. | NursesBiography. | NursesHistory.

Classification: LCC R692 .L37 2017 (print) | LCC R692 (ebook) | DDC 610.82dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016057949

Interior design: Sarah Olson

Printed in the United States of America

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A s I think about how I would describe myself today, there are the titles of student, future doctor, wife, daughter, sister, and dog lover, but more than just these labels are the experiences I have had in life that shaped me into who I am today.

I was born into medicine on October 19, 1986, in Rochester, Minnesota, where my mom was working as an orthopedic (dealing with bones and muscles) nurse and my dad was in his first year of an orthopedic surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic. Medicine was unintentionally ingrained into my daily routine. My dad worked long hours as a resident, and often we would go to the hospital to have dinner with him. After his training, we moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, and this small town became my home.

Medicine continued to be part of my life. I would spend Sunday after church making rounds with my dad at the hospital and during the week would go to the clinic to help him see patients. While at times I was probably more work for my dads secretary, I enjoyed even the little jobs like putting stickers on charts. I loved being part of medicine.

Gina Routh, National President of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association, 2015, left, holding the sign with representatives and future doctors from Des Moines University. Courtesy of Gina Routh

I watched my first total knee replacement surgery when I was 14 years old. At the time, I thought it was going to be this amazing experience. I was so nervous and excited about being in the operating room I ended up fainting in the hallway during the surgery. I thought for sure my career in medicine was over before it even began. It was an embarrassing experience for a 14-year-old, but it solidified my drive to be a compassionate physician.

My mom also encouraged me to be thankful for the blessings I have in my life, and I witnessed her giving back to the community through numerous volunteer projects all while raising two crazy kids and teaching nursing skills at the local college. She was a true role model.

During high school I continued to immerse myself in many different activities. I volunteered at the hospital and at my church teaching bible study. I was the vice president of the student council, on the prom committee, and captain of the flags team. I even combined my leadership activities with medicine and put together a health fair for my entire high school.

When I started to look for a college, I wanted to find a community that would allow me to discover what I wanted to be in life but would also give me the fun college experience that so many high school seniors want. I found Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. I developed friendships that became my family away from home and fell in love with my now husband, Jared.

Because I had been born into medicine, I wanted to make sure that this was what I really wanted to do with my lifenot just something that was expected of me. I volunteered at Creighton Memorial St. Josephs Hospital on Creightons campus and began to shadow physicians in different specialties. I majored in exercise science with a minor in biology and continued to be a leader by getting involved in my sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, the Greek Life Honor Society, and other Omaha organizations. One summer I studied abroad in Kunming, China, focusing on traditional Chinese medicine, culture, and language.

When I was ready to apply to medical school, I was terrified and overjoyed all at once. I went through the application and interview process over many months. I was not successful in getting accepted into medical school the first time I applied. My life plan was ruined, or at least I thought it was, when I found out I wasnt going to become a doctor. To say I took the news well would be a lie. I was devastated. I was a type-A planner to the core, and this changed everything. However, I was determined to try again.