PINK Stethoscope

Luckily times have changed. In 1980 women made up less than a quarter of all physicians in the United States. This included Black, Asian, Hispanic and White. Together, they made up 57,310 out of 431,418 total practicing physicians. In 1974, general attitudes toward female physicians still adhered to patriarchal stereotypes. In a study of 500 patients, Dr. Edgar Engleman found that 78 percent of patients preferred male doctors. He also found that “fifty one percent declared the doctor’s gender to be the single most important attribute.”

Thanks to pioneers like Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first recognized female physician, women are closing this gap. Today, women make up approximately 55 percent of physicians and work hard to prove they are at least as proficient as their male counterparts. PINK celebrates this milestone by spotlighting two physicians practicing in the metro Atlanta area: Dr. Kelli Baender and Dr. Jodi Ganz, partners in practice at Olansky Dermatology Associates.

Both doctors have impressive resumes. After studying psychology, nutrition and public health, Dr. Ganz found her niche in clinical medicine. She says ultimately dermatology attracted her most because it “combines all the things I love: ongoing patient care, microscope work and surgery.” Dr. Ganz is a member of the American Association of Dermatology, the Atlanta Dermatological Association, the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease and the Women’s Dermatologic Society. When she isn’t saving the world one skin cell at a time, she spends quality time with her family. She enjoys running, yoga and a good meal.

She tells PINK, “I prioritize sleep and exercise. They are on my schedule, just like a business meeting!” When she’s not working or volunteering her time, she says, “I laugh a lot! Silly movies. Goofing around with my kids. Talking with my mom or my girlfriends. I try to see the funny side of things.” Dr. Ganz encourages PINK readers to, “surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. I have found that the truly smart people tend to have no ego in the game; they want to make you smarter, too! Learn from them. Ask questions. You deserve a seat at the table, and then you will go on to help the next person.”

Also a trailblazer, Dr. Baender received numerous awards during her college years and her residency at The Mayo Clinic. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Medical Association. She volunteered her dermatological services in Tanzania, Mexico, Cairo and Honduras. She says she is thankful to her husband for his support and considers that to be a big part of the reason she was able to devote the time and attention required to become partner. She tells PINK she also enjoys, “tennis, a nice glass of wine, international travel, cultural events and playing with my daughters.”

According to the Association of American Medical Schools, women made up 50.7 percent of new enrollments in medical schools in the U.S. in 2017. Despite years of stereotypes discouraging their presence, women are entering the medical field at record numbers.

“If society will not admit of woman’s free development, then society must be remodeled.”
-Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell

By Victoria M. Washington