When: June 1–November 18, 2005
Where: Nationwide
Institute: National Library of Medicine (NLM)

Women physicians have excelled in many diverse medical careers. They have made important contributions to clinical care, research, and public health and administration. Some have advanced medical practice by developing innovative procedures or drugs. Others have reemphasized the art of healing and the roles of culture and spirituality in medicine. Many have brought new attention to the health and well-being of neglected groups.

You can explore the stories of more than 300 women in a new exhibition at the NLM, from 19th century pioneers who had to fight for their education, to those who are advancing the frontiers of medicine today. The women profiled are from different backgrounds and worked in a variety of medical specialties. Many are first-person accounts of how these women not only confronted the obstacles, but excelled in a profession that had previously excluded them.

Discover the many ways that women have made their mark on the practice of medicine by visiting the NLM’s exhibition, Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America's Women Physicians, on the NIH campus or online. The Web site allows you to search by home state, specialty, ethnic background, or school; and includes the opportunity for young people to explore careers in medicine as well as a detailed reading list. You can even post your own story of an exceptional woman physician, either on the Web site or in the “activity zone” in the exhibition hall.

Next Steps
You can explore this exhibition online and learn more about women physicians by visiting http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/changingthefaceofmedicine/index.html.

If you are visiting the exhibit on the NIH campus, a free 40-minute guided tour starts from the NLM lobby at 2 PM, Monday through Friday. Free tours can be arranged for schools, professional groups, and others. Visitors to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, should bring a photo ID and allow additional time for security procedures. Call 301-496-1776 for more information, or visit the Web site at http://www.nih.gov/about/visitor/index.htm.

For more details, including exhibit hours, consult the Web site at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/changingthefaceofmedicine/visit/. If you would like more information about NLM exhibition programs, call 301-594-1947.

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