Women in White CoatsHow the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicineby Olivia Campbell
As an anesthesiologist, I think I’d have to hang up my stethoscope if I didn’t take the
time to understand the history of women in medicine — and how the courageous
trailblazers before me helped shape the career I now hold. It’s vital to honor the family
we came from, the communities we serve, and the legacies tied to our professions.
Women in White Coats brings to life the powerful, often painful stories of three pioneers
in medicine: Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Dr. Elizabeth Garrett-Anderson, and Dr. Sophia
Jex-Blake. Olivia Campbell details their relentless pursuit to earn the title of “doctor” in a
world determined to deny them. These women didn’t just overcome adversity — they
faced systemic exclusion, public scorn, and institutional gatekeeping at every turn. And
yet, they persisted.
Having attended Upstate Medical University, I felt a particular connection to Dr.
Elizabeth Blackwell. I’ve spent time in the building named after her and often thought
about how pivotal her admission to Geneva Medical School truly was — even if it
happened by a vote many assumed was a joke. Her graduation in 1849 marked the first
female MD in the United States. But her fight didn’t end there. The book covers her
continued struggle after medical school, her adoption of Kitty, and her influence on
countless women who followed. I won’t spoil the details — they’re worth discovering on
your own.
Though at times the narrative felt a little disjointed, it’s still an engaging and essential
read. It deepens your appreciation for the strength it took — and still takes — to stand at
the head of a patient’s bed and say, “Hi, I’m Dr. Watt, and I’ll be taking care of you
today.”
On a personal note, I found this book deeply resonant. Despite our progress, we’re not
yet on equal footing. It’s disappointing — and telling — that I was the first woman Chief
and first woman Interim Chair in my department of anesthesiology. That should not still
be happening. My hope is that my own career helps widen the path for those coming
next. And maybe, someday, I’ll be able to tell young doctors that this book is a window
into the past — not a mirror reflecting their present.
To all the women in medicine: this one is for you. Read it. Reflect on it. And keep
pushing forward.
Overall: If you're a practicing physician, Women in White Coats is a worthwhile and meaningful read — perfect for those quieter moments at a medical conference. Trust me, it’ll turn heads when you pull it out during a lunch break. Just be sure to leave your copy behind with a personal note in the medical student section — a few words of encouragement can go a long way for someone dreaming of walking in your footsteps.
