Minority Women in Anesthesiology.6 (Print)

Minority Women in Anesthesiology
Jacquelyn Francis, MD
Vilma Joseph, MD, MPH, FASA

Department of Anesthesiology, Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital
of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
’ Barriers
The educational and life experiences that women of color have

undertaken to achieve success in their respective fields are varied, taking
both traditional and nontraditional routes. Each of these routes offers
unique benefits, unique perspectives, and unique pathways. Diversity
encourages the collaboration of individuals of different races, cultures,
and sexes, by each person bringing his or her own experiences to the
workplace.
Recent immigrants, or decendents of recent immigrants, have the burden
of the British, French, or Dutch slave systems, followed by colonialization, and
American, British, French, or Dutch imperialism. Often, the new immigrants
were not even welcomed by the existing African American population, much
less white people. As a result, people of color, and specifically, women of color
have to overcome barriers that make it difficult to achieve social parity, let
alone economic parity. People of color are underrepresented in academia and
frequently do not go up the academic ladder.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been the
backbone of higher education for African Americans. Public HBCUs are
the only center of higher education where African Americans consistently
approach equity in enrollment and degree completion. Up until the
1960s, over 90% of all African Americans who had postsecondary degrees
graduated from a HBCU, but this number had decreased to ∼9% by the
21st Century (www.tmcf.org/about-us/our-schools/hbcus). The HBCUs
have been underfunded by the states, with estimates of a 21% difference
compared with predominantly white institutions. They have 1/8 the size
ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO: VILMA JOSEPH, MD, MPH, FASA, DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIOLOGY, MONTEFIORE
MEDICAL CENTER, THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, 1825 EASTCHESTER ROAD,
BRONX, NY 10461. E-MAIL: VJOSEPH@MONTEFIORE.ORG
INTERNATIONAL ANESTHESIOLOGY CLINICS

Volume 56, Number 3, 74–95, DOI:10.1097/AIA.0000000000000198
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the unique DOI number which can be found in the footnotes.
Minority Women in Anesthesiology ’ 75
of endowments of white universities and colleges. This has resulted in a

lack of resources and poorer facilities.1 HBCUs have traditionally
advanced vocational training versus liberal arts. All of these factors make
graduating from a HBCU and becoming a pioneer in anesthesiology a
remarkable feat.
In 2015, only 11% of blacks held a college level or more advanced
degree. Having a parent or a family member with advanced education
encourages subsequent generations to attain the same.2 Given the
historic barriers, it is difficult for minorities to achieve higher education.
Women of diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in the medical
community. According to the US Census, 13.3% of the US population
identifies themselves as African American, 17.8% as Latino, 1.3% as American
Indian/Alaskan Native, and 0.3% as Native Hawaiian and other Pacific
Islander (www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045216?). African Amer-
ican, Latino/Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or
other Pacific Islander women constitute between 0.1% and 6% of medical
student graduates, 0.1% and 4% of full-time academic medicine positions, and
up to 3% of departmental chairs in academic medicine, despite the fact that
minorities constitute 39% of the US population.3 Women make up the greatest
percentage of the young nonwhite physicians.4 Female anesthesiologists consist
of ∼7.2% African Americans, 0.4% American Indians/Native Alaskans, and
4.4% Latinos/Hispanics.5 In a survey of leadership in the American Society
of Anesthesiologists (ASA), minority women represented 1.1% of the 6%
underrepresented minority respondants.6
Women of color faculty have also faced obstacles such as promotion bias,
unequal distribution of research nonclinical time, implicit bias, financial debt,
and lack of mentors. The promotion rate for African Americans (18.8%) and
Latinos (23.5%) is less than that of whites (30.2%) when advancing from
associate to full professor.7 Often, women of color will research issues associated
with disparities and this may not be considered a highly valued departmental
asset. Minority faculty also tend to have more clinical responsibilities and less
research time, which has been suggested to impede developing a portfolio
necessary for academic promotion.
Clinical disparities exist that act as an obstacle in allowing time for
academic or nonacademic promotion. Having more clinical responsibilities
results in less time for research activities, which is necessary for academic
promotion. Minority women of color are more likely to work in underserved
communities, which tend to be poorer.8,9 Producing lower revenue because
of the socioeconomic condition of these patients makes one generate lower
revenue in private practice and be considered less productive.
A survey found that minority faculty at Virginia Commonwealth
University reported more cases of racial discrimination than white faculty
(P < 0.001), whereas race had no impact on the incidence of sexual
harassment in women. Student debt was associated with pursing an academic
position.2 A survey of female fellows found that having a mentor of the same
www.anesthesiaclinics.com
76 ’ Francis and Joseph
sex and within the same field was very “important” in determining their
decision to enter academic medicine and isolation disparity may limit the
ability for collaborative and scholarly activity.8,10
Diversity enriches the doctor-patient relationship and improves
patient satisfaction.11 The following physician anesthesiologists are a
few examples of pioneers in anesthesiology who happen to be women of
diverse backgrounds and who practice and/or teach anesthesiology. Each
anesthesiologist provides insight into their accomplishments and back-
ground, and advice for future anesthesiologists. They also discuss the
many roadblocks that they came across and explain how they were able to
overcome them. We hope that their stories help to educate and encourage
prospective doctors on what challenges they may encounter, and to
provide guidance on how to excel, irrespective of the barriers that they
may encounter.
’ Pioneers
Evelyn Elnora Henley, MD

Dr Henley was the first African American woman to be certified as
Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology and a Fellow of the
American College of Anesthesiologists in 1960 (Fig. 1). She subsequently served
Figure 1. Dr Henley. First African American female anesthesiologist.
as Chief of Anesthesiology at Howard University College of Medicine.

Dr Henley started her career as a practicing nurse anesthetist who decided
to go to medical school and become an anesthesiologist. She graduated from
Howard University College of Medicine in 1954 with honors and completed
her residency in Anesthesiology at DC General Hospital in 1958. Subsequently,
she served as Chief of Anesthesiology at Howard University College of
Medicine. Dr Henley was the first minority female to chair the Anesthesiology
Department at Boston University. Keep in mind that when Dr Henley was
attending primary school in the 1950s, she would have been categorized as a
“negro,” and the schools were separate and unequal. She would have had to
ride in the back of the bus in much of the United States. Secondary school
graduation was unattainable for many. Attaining university education was an
achievement that was limited to relatively few people of color.
Marcelle Willock, MD, MA, MBA

Dr Willock was born in British Guiana, to a Guianese father and a
Panamanian mother (Fig. 2). She grew up in Guyana and Panama, attending
Catholic schools. At age 16, she went to the College of New Rochelle in
New York, which was run by Ursuline nuns, and then graduated from
Howard University College of Medicine in 1962. According to Dr Willock, at
that time, women made up only 6% of medical students in the United States,
with some schools neither admitting women nor blacks. Only 19 women of
color in the United States graduated as physicians in 1962.
Figure 2. Dr Willock. First African American Chair of Department of Anesthesiology and Provosot
of Boston University Medical Center. Dean of the College of Medicine at Charles R. Drew University.
President of the Society of Academic Anesthesiology Chairs.
Interested in surgery, Dr Willock became the only female surgical intern

at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. She often had her operative cases
assigned to male interns, while she was assigned to take care of the patients
on the wards. She found that she actually liked taking care of the patients on
the floor, however, and she put her mind to doing the best job possible.
Her inspiration for anesthesiology came in 2 phases. At Howard, she was
impressed by Dr Henley. Two anesthesiology residents persuaded her to
switch to anesthesiology. She interviewed at a number of programs in
New York. Cornell had taken its first black resident in 1962 and the Chairman
of Anesthesiology stated that he had too many women in the program and
would not offer her a position. Dr Willock, as the fourth person of color in the
Columbia/Presbyterian anesthesiology program, does not recall any instances
of discrimination, and the chairman and faculty all pushed her to excel.
Her first faculty position was at NYU Medical Center, where she
became the pediatric anesthesiologist. The chairman at the time got her
interested in the NY Medical Examiner’s Office, which entailed
investigating operating room deaths in New York City. This became a
major focus of her academic activity. In addition, the chair introduced
her to the professional aspects of anesthesiology and she soon became a
delegate of the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA),
eventually becoming President of District 2, and a delegate to the ASA.
When the Chief of Surgery asked her to be the Chief of Anesthesia at the
affiliated Bellevue Hospital and to run the residency program there, she
did so for ∼2 years until the new chairman brought in his own people (all
males) to take over the leadership positions.
After 3 years in private practice at Roosevelt Hospital, she desired a
more academic environment and returned to Columbia/Presbyterian.
There, she incorporated basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) into
the curriculum for the medical students and trained other faculty to
become instructors. Feeling a need to have more formal education
training, she enrolled at Teacher’s College of Columbia University and
obtained a Masters in Higher Education in 1982.
Dr Willock accepted the Chairmanship of Anesthesiology at Boston
University Medical Center (BUMC) in 1982, becoming the first woman
to chair a department there, and the third woman to chair a US
academic anesthesiology department. The residency had to be re-
vamped. Strenuous effort and new faculty resulted in a series of successes
including the department winning the first place in scientific exhibits at
the ASA 3 years in a row, another first. Again, she incorporated basic and
advanced CPR and pain management into the curriculum for the
medical students, in addition to having anesthesiologists teach in the
anatomy and pharmacology courses.
Running a department and an operating room is akin to running a
small business; thus, she enrolled in the first Executive MBA program at
Boston University, obtaining her degree in 1989, again among the first
anesthesiologists to do so. She was President of the medical staff, active in

the Massachusetts Society of Anesthesiologists, eventually becoming its
president, and also a Director of the ASA. She was promoted to Assistant
Provost at Boston University School of Medicine from 1998 until 2002,
when she left for Los Angeles to become the Dean of the College of
Medicine at Charles R. Drew University (UCLA). She did this until her
retirement in 2005.
Dr Willock was very active in the ASA, serving on and chairing
several committees, and eventually was elected Assistant Secretary for 2
terms, the first person of color to be elected an ASA officer. Some of her
other contributions to the ASA were introducing CPR into the annual
meeting, developing the bylaws for the military anesthesiologists,
advancing the case for women anesthesiologists, and initiating the first
meeting of the presidents of all the state societies. Dr Willock was also the
first woman to become the President of the Society of Academic
Anesthesiology Chairs. She has served on numerous Boards and is the
President of her family’s foundation in Panama.
Her advice for those seeking a career in anesthesiology is to always
remember that medicine is a calling and not a job. When obstacles arise,
she advises that we seek to understand the other person’s perspective—it
may definitely be discrimination or it may be a misunderstanding, or you
may simply be failing to meet the necessary requirements. Her
philosophy to deal with challenges is to maintain one’s principles, to
do a critical self-evaluation, to be resilient, analytical, and resolute, and to
always be the best one can be. Not every battle will be won, but
eventually, if your cause is just and for the greater good, you will prevail
and be respected for your efforts.
Saundra Curry, MD
Dr Curry describes herself as an African American, with Irish and
Native American ancestry (Fig. 3). Her father was a Tuskegee Airman
fighter pilot who went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and
earned a degree in aeronautical engineering. Her mom was a social
worker who became a stay-at-home mom upon childbirth. The first
4 years of Dr Curry’s life were spent living in Brooklyn and Queens.
When her parents decided to become Presbyterian missionaries to
Cameroon in West Africa, the family moved to France for 2 years to learn
French. She attended a mission boarding school in Cameroon, until the
family’s return to New York, where she attended the Bronx High School
of Science.
Upon graduation, Dr Curry went to Cornell University. She
graduated with a degree in French Literature, got married in college,
and worked in retail for several years. She eventually took premedical
courses for a post baccalaureate degree at Columbia University, and did
Figure 3. Dr Curry. First African American Professor at Columbia University. President of the
Society for Education in Anesthesia.
well. She was accepted into Howard University College of Medicine and
transferred to Cornell Medical School to complete her degree. She
considered emergency medicine, and so she felt she needed to learn how
to intubate. She signed up for an anesthesiology elective and found the
experience so enjoyable that she decided to become an anesthesiologist.
Dr Curry completed her anesthesiology residency at Columbia and
was the Chief Resident. She was hired on as faculty in 1986, and
eventually became the Clerkship Director for the medical student
rotation. She became involved in the Society for Education in Anesthesia
(SEA) in 1987 and became the Chair of the Medical Student Committee
by 1988. She served on the Board of Directors of the SEA. In 1995,
Dr Curry became President of the SEA and served for 2 years.
Dr Curry also became involved with the ASA, serving on various
committees and played a role in determining the ASA meeting
organization process. She became involved with the Clinical Forums
Committee, eventually becoming the chair of the committee. Later, when
the ASA developed the track system, she was made Vice-Chair and then
Chair of the Professional Issues Track and ran it for 4 years.
Advancing academically at Columbia was tricky. There were no maps
guiding promotion. In the 1990s, spurred on by a colleague, she wrote a
question book for residents with McGraw-Hill, and was the editor for the
second edition as well. She achieved rank of Professor, thanks to much
extracurricular work, such as editing the question book, being President of
SEA, ASA work, question writing for the AKT and the ABA certifying
exams, serving as an ABA Oral Board examiner, and continuing to run the
medical student clerkship for Anesthesia at Columbia. Her biggest

professional accomplishments were being elected to the Apgar Teaching
Academy and the Academy for Clinical Excellence, both Columbia honors,
and publishing on the medical student education in anesthesiology.
When asked about her need to be able to overcome obstacles,
Dr Curry said that her experience with racism was different because she
grew up overseas and a lot of racist remarks went over her head.
She keeps a positive outlook, and she has no chips on her shoulder. She
concentrated on her academics, and “put her nose to the grindstone.”
She never went home right away, and so she could get additional work
done. Her advice to women and minorities considering a career in
anesthesiology is to decide what you want to do and plan a course of
action. Make sure that you develop a plan that will work for you!
Dolores B. Njoku, MD
Dr Njoku grew up in a small farm town in Mississippi and was the
fourth of 6 children (Fig. 4). Her parents were originally from Nigeria
and worked as professors at Rust College in Mississippi. Dr Njoku was
born in the United States. She obtained a BS in Biochemistry from the
University of Dallas in Irving, Texas, and her MD from the University of
Mississippi. She did her residency in Pediatrics at Case Western, where
she became Chief Resident. She actually worked as a pediatrician for
6 months to see what it was like, but later entered the Johns Hopkins
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine to do a
Figure 4. Dr Njoku. First African American Associate Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology and
Critical Care Medicine, Pediatrics, and Pathology at Johns Hopkins University. Pediatric Anesthesiology
Fellowship Director.
fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) and pediatric

anesthesiology. She was actually an “accidental anesthesiologist” as there
were no PCCM faculty positions available. In January 1997, she stayed
on as a basic science researcher and pediatric anesthesiologist. Drs Jackie
Martin and Lance Pole introduced her to toxicology research techniques
and both were studying anesthetic metabolism. After mastering basic
toxicology techniques, she eventually moved on to immuno-toxicology,
immunology, and autoimmunity.
When asked how she was able to overcome obstacles, and tips for
success, Dr Njoku replies that she never thinks in terms of obstacles. She
believes that if you acknowledge them, then they might stop you.
Dr Njoku offers the following advice to other women and minorities
considering a career in anesthesiology:
“Don’t take yourself too seriously. See something wonderful every day.
Make realistic goals including personal, work and global. And with every
undertaking, one must truly commit and then see how it turns out!”
Carlene Broderick, MD
Dr Broderick was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the Bronx, NY,
when she was an adolescent (Fig. 5). Her parents were working-class
people who emphasized education. She noticed a shortage of medical
care in Jamaica and this and the unexpected death of her grandmother
spurred her to enter medicine.
Upon arrival to America, she embarked on her adventure into higher
education. She received her biology degree from City College, her medical
Figure 5. Dr Broderick. First African American to lead the pediatric neuroanesthesia team during
the separation of conjoined twins.
degree from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, and anesthesiology

training at Montefiore Medical Center (MMC). Dr Broderick’s areas of
interest are liver transplantation, neurosurgical anesthesia, and pediatric
anesthesia (general, neurosurgical, and cardiac). She was the team leader of
the separation of the first conjoined twins at Montefiore in 2004. Later, she
helped develop the pediatric cardiovascular anesthesia team and partici-
pated in the first pediatric heart transplant in 2009 and ventricular assist
device insertion at Montefiore. In addition, she enjoys global medicine and
has conducted several humanitarian missions performing pediatric
anesthesia for pediatric cardiac patients.
Dr Broderick’s advice to those interested in medicine is to realize that it
is not an easy road, but one must stay motivated. With the combination of
motivation and the current work regulations provided by the ACGME, it is
possible to achieve your goals. In her experience, no obstacle is too big.
Vivian Porche, MD
Dr Porche is a native Houstonian of African and Native American
origins who grew up in a home full of educators (Fig. 6). Her parents
were elementary school principals. She completed her college degree at
the University of Texas at Austin and her medical degree at McGovern
UT Houston Medical School. Her anesthesiology residency, and 2
fellowships, cardiovascular and pediatrics, occurred at Baylor University.
She spent 9 months of her last year of residency doing cardiovascular
anesthesia and later completed a pediatric fellowship at Texas Children’s
Hospital in 1990.
Figure 6. Dr Porche. First African American Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson.
Director of Acute Pain and the Houston Proton Therapy Center.
She started at MD Anderson in July of 1990 as an attending and has

enjoyed an illustrious career there ever since. When asked to pick an area of
interest at Anderson, she started a protocol placing epidurals for
postoperative pain management. After 5 years, she became Acting Acute
Pain Director and then became the permanent Director. She also started
training nurse practitioners to administer sedation for bone marrow biopsy
and lumbar puncture for children and adults. She started the nonoperating
room anesthesia program (NORA) in 1997. Dr Porche created the sedation
certification program for nonanesthesiologists in 1997.
In 2007, she became a full professor and later became the Director of the
Houston Proton Therapy Center. Dr Porche was the first anesthesiologist to
be awarded the Leadership and Institutional Service Award at MD Anderson.
Dr Porche credits her strong social network in providing her with the
support that facilitated her maintaining a good career throughout many
departmental changes. With the support of her husband and parents,
she has raised 3 children. All are successful and she will be honored to
hood her daughter when she graduates medical school from UT McGovern
Medical School in 2018.
Dr Porche’s advice to other women and minorities would be:
“Follow your passion. Get thick skin. Surround yourself with good
friends and family. Associate yourself with a positive organization [she
was embraced by the National Medical Association].” And finally, “If life
gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
Tracey Straker, MD, MS, MPH, FASA

Dr Straker is the youngest of 5 children, and the only 1 born in
New York (Fig. 7). Her mom was from Barbados and her dad was born in
St. Vincent and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. Her mom was a nurse and
her dad was a construction worker. She attended private schools and then
went to Brooklyn Technical School. Dr Straker participated in the Sophie
Davis BS/MD program at City College and graduated from New York
Medical College. Simultaneously, she achieved her Master’s in Public
Health. She completed her anesthesiology residency at MMC.
Her interest in airway management led to her leadership roles in the
Society for Airway Management and the Society for Head and Neck
Anesthesia. She developed the first fellowship in Airway Management on
the East Coast, holds a leadership role in SEA, and has multiple committee
appointments in the ASA. She furthered her education by obtaining her
Masters in Health Information Technology from Georgetown University
and has taken a Harvard Leadership Course for Physicians in Academics.
Dr Straker feels that her biggest accomplishment was raising her
children as a single parent while managing to be successful at her career.
The advice that Tracey would give to other women and minorities
considering a career in anesthesiology is to identify, create, and maintain
Figure 7. Dr Straker. First African American Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology at Montefiore

Medical Center. Speaker of the House of Delegate at the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists.
President-Elect of the Society for Head and Neck Anesthesia.
relationships with mentors and sponsors. Remember that you have to be

better in everything that you do!
Olubukola Ogunbiyi, MD
Dr Ogunbiyi is originally from Nigeria, but has been living in Antigua
since 1997 (Fig. 8). She comes from a family of educators. Her mother was a
Figure 8. Dr Ogunbiyi. First female anesthesiologist in the country of Antigua and Barbuda, WI.
teacher and her father was an accountant in the civil service. She attended
Catholic primary and secondary schools and her tertiary education was at
the College of Medicine University of Lagos, where she obtained her MBBS
in 1981, with a postgraduate degree in anesthesia in 1986. Dr Ogunbiyi’s
greatest accomplishment was anesthetizing the first kidney transplant
recipient in the Eastern Caribbean.
Balancing work and personal life was quite challenging, especially in an
environment where there was a shortage of anesthesiologists. Not having
quality time with the children, foregoing adequate rest, and being unable to
go on a long holiday are some of the sacrifices that go with the territory. Her
advice to other women considering anesthesiology as a career is to make
sure you have a very understanding spouse as the hours of work can be
long and unpredictable.
Alexandra Bastien, MD
Dr Bastien was born in Haiti and had 5 brothers (Fig. 9). Her parents
immigrated to the United States when she was 3 months old. She lived in
Brooklyn, NY, and she went to Catholic School during her childhood.
Initially, Dr Bastien had aspirations of being a trauma surgeon. Her
plans changed once she got married and had her first child. During her
second year of residency, she made the difficult decision to change
careers. While she was at Beth Israel Hospital in New York, an
anesthesiologist convinced her that the specialty of anesthesiology was
both lucrative and fulfilling. She saw the advantage of working in the
perioperative setting and a lifestyle that was conducive with a family life.
Figure 9. Dr Bastien. First African American female to head the Vascular Anesthesia Division.
Site Director of the Moses Campus of Montefiore Medical Center.
Dr Bastien believes that what helped her to overcome obstacles was

to focus on outcomes and results: “You can go around them, break them
down, or go over them. You can also use them to facilitate your success.”
She also feels that her biggest accomplishments are her family. She firmly
believes that one should take advantage of the time at work to do
everything that is required to become successful; it is important to be at
work when you are working, and when you are home, be home. As she
drives to a destination, she becomes focused on the future goals.
She advises that other women and minorities should focus on a timeline
to achieve their goals. Results get you outcomes, so keep achievable goals in
mind. In 5 years, decide on either a career in academics or private practice.
Dr Bastien feels that as a minority, you have to be a super achiever, and
sometimes, you end up being your own best cheerleader.
Maxine Lee, MD, MBA

Dr Lee spent her childhood in Jamaica and immigrated to Connecticut
(Fig. 10). She received her Bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University, a
Jesuit college in Connecticut (1984), and was its first student to gain
admission to Harvard Medical School. She completed her anesthesiology
residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital (1992) and later received her MBA
from Radford University in Virginia (2005) by going to evening school
while working full-time.
Dr Lee initially intended to be a surgeon and matched into the 5-year
surgical residency at Yale. She became friends with several anesthesia
Figure 10. Dr Lee. First African American female to achieve a senior leadership position in the
Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists, in her private practice group and medical institution.
residents and was impressed by the civility and respect that marked the
interactions between the anesthesia faculty and residents, the excellence
of the clinical and theoretical education, and noted especially that the
residents were happy in their choice of career. After her surgical
internship, she feels fortunate to have switched into the anesthesiology
residency at Yale.
Dr Lee was the first African American woman to serve as president
(2015-2017) of the Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists (VSA) and is the
current ASA Director from Virginia (2017-present). She has also been
President of the Roanoke Valley Academy of Medicine (2015-2017), a
component society of the Medical Society of Virginia. Dr Lee served her
hospital, Carilion Medical Center, as its Vice-president for Medical Affairs
(2011-2014). She is a current member of the Virginia Board of Medicine
(2014-2018) and has served on its Credentials, Legislative and Executive
Committees. She sits on the board of Jefferson College of Health Sciences
(2012-present). She holds clinical teaching appointments at The Edward
Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Virginia Tech Carilion School
of Medicine. She is a wife and mother, and also works full time as a partner
in Anesthesiology Consultants of Virginia (ACV Inc.).
Dr Lee notes that clinical anesthesiology allows for better work-life
balance than many other subspecialties in medicine. Clinical work is
usually confined to the hospital, allowing, for the most part, time at home
to be focused on family. This presents a challenge to work-life balance
and she credits her husband, mother, and children for their support and
her fellow ACV Inc. partners.
When asked how she deals with obstacles, she states she focuses on
the end goal. If achieving the end goal is important, then she does
whatever it takes. In anesthesiology, there are many successful women
and minority physicians who serve as role models and one should utilize
these resources.
Vilma Joseph, MD, MPH, FASA

Dr Joseph was born in Brooklyn and is the youngest of 4 children
(Fig. 11). Her father emigrated from Antigua, West Indies, and became a
civil engineer for the City of New York while her mother’s parents
emigrated from St. Kitts, West Indies; her mother is a pianist and
homemaker. Dr Joseph attended Catholic grammar school, public high
school, and Queens College in New York. She majored in Biology and
with the guidance of her dedicated counselor Mrs Helen Hendricks was
accepted to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. After medical school, she
obtained her Master’s of Public Health in Health Policy and Management
from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
Her career in anesthesiology centers on her interest in academic medicine
and patient safety. She is an Associate Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at
Figure 11. Dr Joseph. First African American female to become the President-Elect of the
New York State Society of Anesthesiologists.
MMC/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr Joseph was the first minority to

be the Associate Director and then Director of Quality Improvement. She was
the first anesthesiologist to be on the Peer Review Board, a hospital quality
improvement committee. Dr Joseph was the first minority Associate and
Clinical Director of the Weiler Campus Operating Room. Currently, she
chairs the hospital Sedation Committee, which directs the practice of
nonanesthesiologists performing sedation.
Dr Joseph is quite active in professional societies. She held several
positions in the NYSSA and is currently the President-Elect. At the NYSSA,
she chaired the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee and has
been on the equivalent ASA committee. Her interest in community health is
robust and she is on the Board of Directors of Nutribee, an organization
designed to improve childhood health though education about nutrition.
Her advice is to stay focused and be positive. One has to be aware that
gratification in medicine is often delayed and not immediate. Utilize a good
support system such as a spouse, parents, siblings, children, and extended
family, which have played a major role in her success. Mentors are key and
should be obtained early in one’s career. Remember to balance life and enjoy
every moment in the journey of life. When faced with obstacles, she believes
that one must face them with a combination of assertiveness and diplomacy.
Michele L. Sumler, MD
Dr Michele Sumler grew up in Virginia, where her parents always
stressed the importance of a good education (Fig. 12). As a child, she was
Figure 12. Dr Sumler. Fellowship Director of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and the Director of
Simulation at Emory University Medical Center.
always reminded that her only job was to excel in school. Dr Sumler
received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of
Virginia and her Medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. She
is currently actively pursuing her Master’s in Bioethics at Emory University.
She did her internship and residency in Anesthesia at the Medical College of
Virginia, and a cardiothoracic fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr Sumler firmly believes that one should always believe in oneself
even when facing obstacles. She credits her parents with instilling in her
that she could be anything that she wanted to be. She advises to always
make time for personal life and spend time with family and friends. She
states that she has often turned down speaking engagements and other
opportunities in an attempt to dedicate the necessary time to her family.
Her advice to others pursuing a successful career in anesthesiology is to
find a mentor as this is one part of the field that is often underutilized.
She further stresses that the mentor does not have to be someone in the
field of anesthesiology, but someone to help with the navigation of the
journey that is medicine.
Valerie E. Armstead, MD
Dr Armstead was born on her grandmother’s couch in tenement
housing of Baltimore, MD (Fig. 13). She describes herself as being of African
American descent, with a percentage of European blood. Dr Armstead has
an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of
Chicago, and a MD from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.
Figure 13. Dr Armstead. Professor of Anesthesiology of Temple University Health System.

Associate Editor, Society for Airway Management, Airway Gazette. Board Certified, Dual American
Fellowship-trained Pediatric Anesthesiologist. Adult & Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiologist. National
Board of Echocardiography Advanced Testamur.
The subject of overcoming obstacles reminded Dr Armstead of a

quote by one of her heroes, the late Congresswoman and Presidential
Candidate Shirley Chisholm, who said, “being female put many more
obstacles in my path than being black.” She once discovered that there
was a 10% pay discrepancy between male colleagues and her at her first
staff job. She immediately went to her chairman to demand equal pay
and she was successful. In fact, as a result of her actions, the University of
Colorado formed a salary equity committee with Dr Armstead as one of
the charter members. She overcame obstacles that she encountered with
a zero-tolerance approach, even when it was risky to do so. If she suspected or
encountered discrimination, she would seek out the appropriate authorities
and attempt to make an intervention.
The advice that Dr Armstead offers to women and minorities
considering a career in anesthesiology is to enter the field with gusto and
plan to be seen, appreciated, and rewarded for your decision. Also, set aside
time to do research while in training as it helps if you decide to be an
academic. She stresses that fellowship training provides additional oppor-
tunities to distinguish oneself. Most importantly, she encourages women and
underrepresented minorities to join organizations of advocacy for your
group, such as Women in Anesthesiology, the National Medical Association,
societies for physicians of African, Caribbean, or Indian origin, or other
organizations that are supportive. One should seek mentorship, plan to be a
mentor, join or form a social network, interest, or support group.
Lauren Thornton, MD
Dr Thornton grew up in a middle-class home in Florida, but many of
her relatives were politically active in the fight to reclaim Indian land and
create laws that would protect Native American children from
exploitation (Fig. 14). Her great grandfather, uncles, and cousins were
elected officials, medicine men, and tribal chairmen while both of her
grandmothers were full-blooded Native Americans (maternal grandmother
Wampanoag of Massachusetts and paternal grandmother Muskogee Creek
of Oklahoma). Therefore, she was enriched with a diverse outlook as a
native from 2 separate tribes.
Native Americans have had to endure genocidal attacks, racism, the
intentional flooding of their communities with alcohol, relocations,
discrimination, and exploitations. It is a testament to her tribe and family
that they were able to persevere, and struggle so that she was able to be
given the opportunity to educate herself, and achieve great heights.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology with a minor in
chemistry from the University of Florida. After she graduated from the
University of Florida, she had the opportunity to work in the Indian
Health Department. She could see the disadvantage of assimilation, even
though the patients still had a strong tribal identity. Addiction, diabetes, and
other debilitating influences were hurting the traditional ways. Health care
and education would be the cure. Dr Thornton obtained her medical degree
from Georgetown University. She is in her final year of anesthesiology
residency and looks forward to a career in pain management.
Figure 14. Dr Thornton. First member of the Wampanoag tribe to become an anesthesiology
resident.
Her heritage and traditions kept her going through hard times and
she is determined to give all that she can to preserve the old ways that
served her so well. She has the sheer determination to achieve her goals
with a healthy dose of faith. Dr Thornton understands that people do
have stereotypes, but has learned to live with it and be proud of her
identity while utilizing her traditions.
’ Solutions
It is essential that women of color embrace the need of developing a

good relationship with a mentor. Mentoring is essential for a successful
career. There should be no restrictions on the basis of gender or ethnicity
in choosing one’s mentor. Frequently, this mentor will suggest career
options and how to avoid common pitfalls. One should not expect that a
mentor will magically appear and help direct one’s career. There has to be
some initiative of the potential mentee. It is ideal if one could associate with
an organization or a club that will facilitate this pairing. If one is in
undergraduate school, then science clubs offer some guidance. Some
hospitals are establishing mentoring for junior faculty and residents. It is
important to ask for constructive feedback from the mentor and keep her
informed of one’s progress.
The problem of not having a role model and exposure to the career
option of anesthesiology can be rectified by looking outside of one’s
normal circle. Before medical school, there are many programs that
students interested in medicine may enter. These enrichment programs
start as early as grammar school up to and including undergraduate
school. Applying for these programs takes working with a knowledgeable
guidance counselor and also exploring the internet. Enrichment programs
offer an opportunity to take advanced courses, perform research projects,
and get exposed to minority health care professionals. The ability to
envision oneself in these positions is an invaluable experience.
Mentorship has been associated with increased promotion, job satisfaction,
and increased productivity. Some recommend that mentorship should occur
for all academic levels and include mentors of any race.12,13 This may entail
working with someone inside or outside of one’s department. Some institutions
have intensive formalized mentoring programs and mentoring support
systems. This may come in the form of local, regional, and national network
support systems, getting all faculty members to participate in the mentoring,
and providing protected time and financial support for research.13
Programs such as the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education
also aid in decreasing the educational disparity gap of minorities seeking
higher education. A 7-year combined BS/MD program of the CUNY
Medical School at the City College of the City University of New York,
one of the missions of the program is to expand medical careers among
inner-city youths, particularly among underrepresented minorities. The

Sophie Davis program, along with other similar programs, have been
utilized by some of the physicians who are the subject of this article.
Unconscious bias is a challenge to ameliorate. There is training for
individuals and institutions to lessen unconscious bias.14 Having a
diverse work environment also helps to decrease unconscious bias.
Complaints of discrimination can be addressed administratively or
legally. Notifying the chain of command within one’s department is
one mechanism. Another alternative is to inform the human resource
department or ombudsman. Finally, the Equal Employment Opportu-
nity Commission can handle disputes at the federal level.
Financial debt is a roadblock, which can be overcome with financial
education. Students who are interested in higher education must realize that
they often have to sacrifice and realize that it might be prudent to utilize
some element of delayed gratification. When in college or medical school,
they should apply for grants and scholarships. As an anesthesiology resident,
it is important to contribute to one’s retirement fund (ie, Roth IRA, 403b,
etc.). As an attending, resist the temptation to purchase all the perceived
amenities associated with reaching a certain status. It is more prudent to pay
off one’s high-interest student loans and/or consolidate to lower interest rate
loans. This will eventually help chip away at one of the largest roadblocks,
the wealth disparity that plagues communities of color. With hard work, and
due diligence in the beginning of one’s career, it is very possible to achieve
financial stability. Consulting financial experts to assist in learning techniques
to achieve financial wealth is very important.
’ Conclusions
The common themes with our highlighted female anesthesiologists

include a continual drive to further their career and for lifelong learning,
strategies to overcome the obstacles encountered, fostering collaboration
and mentorship, and doing what they love. The need for diversity in the
workplace cannot be emphasized enough. The promotion track should
be communicated clearly and value should be placed on clinical work
and diversity activities. We should also become involved politically, to
ensure that the elected officials that we put in office will alleviate the
scourges of racism, sexism, sexual harassment, and wealth disparity. We
hope that highlighting these women will encourage other minorities that
great feats can be accomplished if one stays focused and dedicated.
The women mentioned are just a few of the many pioneers in the
field of anesthesiology. Considerable progress has been made in the short
period of time since the start of the specialty of anesthesiology. This
article emphasizes that success can be generated from a variety of
directions, despite the shackles of historical and cultural impediments.
The authors declare that they have nothing to disclose.
’ References
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in higher education: a critical race historical analysis of policy efforts. J Higher Educ.
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Minority Women in Anesthesiology

Vilma Joseph, MD, MPH, FASA

The educational and life experiences that women of color have

INTERNATIONAL ANESTHESIOLOGY CLINICS

of endowments of white universities and colleges. This has resulted in a

Evelyn Elnora Henley, MD

Figure 1. Dr Henley. First African American female anesthesiologist.

as Chief of Anesthesiology at Howard University College of Medicine.

Marcelle Willock, MD, MA, MBA

Interested in surgery, Dr Willock became the only female surgical intern

anesthesiologists to do so. She was President of the medical staff, active in

medical student clerkship for Anesthesia at Columbia. Her biggest

fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) and pediatric

degree from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, and anesthesiology

She started at MD Anderson in July of 1990 as an attending and has

Tracey Straker, MD, MS, MPH, FASA

Figure 7. Dr Straker. First African American Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology at Monteﬁore

relationships with mentors and sponsors. Remember that you have to be

Dr Bastien believes that what helped her to overcome obstacles was

Maxine Lee, MD, MBA

Vilma Joseph, MD, MPH, FASA

MMC/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr Joseph was the ﬁrst minority to

Figure 13. Dr Armstead. Professor of Anesthesiology of Temple University Health System.

The subject of overcoming obstacles reminded Dr Armstead of a

It is essential that women of color embrace the need of developing a

inner-city youths, particularly among underrepresented minorities. The

The common themes with our highlighted female anesthesiologists

The authors declare that they have nothing to disclose.

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