Nancy E. Gary

Nancy E. Gary (March 4, 1937, Brooklyn, New York - May 31, 2006, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC) was the third woman dean of a U.S. medical school in the 20th century and the first woman in the U.S. to serve as dean at more than one medical school. She was considered a major role model for women in medicine and a change agent in medical education. Dr. Gary was "a 'powerhouse' in academic medicine."

Recent Achievements

Dr. Gary had been Executive Vice President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Dean of its F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine. She was also Clinical Professor of Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, from which she received their Meritorious Service Award in 1995.

Medical Licensing

She recently retired from her position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, which provides certification for entry into U.S. medical graduate programs. While at the commission from 1995 to 2001, Dr. Gary enhanced the licensing process by adding a fourth examination which requires students to interview mock patients. This exam proved so successful that it was later added to the licensing requirements for US medical graduates.

Role Model for Women in Medicine

At a time when it was uncommon for a woman to head a medical school, Dr. Gary was appointed the dean of Albany Medical College in New York in 1988. Well known for her expertise in medical education, research, and practice, she was considered a mentor and role model for many women. "Part of the remarkable legacy that Nancy left was founded by pioneering and gutsy women with vision."

Earlier Postings

Other previous positions include that of: Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow of the US House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Health and Environment; Senior Medical Advisor to the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration (Medicare), Department of Health and Human Services; Chief of Nephrology and Professor of Medicine at Rutgers Medical School (now Robert Wood Johnson Medical School) University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; and resident physician at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Gary began her medical career as an Assistant Medical Resident, Meadowbrook Hospital (Nassau County Medical Center) East Meadow, LI, NY.

Education

Dr. Gary grew up on Long Island in New York, where she graduated from Manhasset High School. She was fond of telling friends that she barely made it out of high school. She worked summers teaching archery at Rolling Hills, a nearby day camp. Her early interest in sports drew her to Springfield College in Springfield, MA, since she planned to be a gym teacher. With the first required biology course she found her calling and switched to pre-med. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in 1958 and, 35 years later, received their Distinguished Alumna Award. She received her medical degree from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel University College of Medicine), Philadelphia, PA. in 1962 from which she received their Alumnae Achievement Award in 1990.

Awards and honors

Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in medicine and nephrology, she was a Master in the American College of Physicians; a member of Alpha Omega Alpha; the National Board of Medicine Examiners; Editorial Board of Academic Medicine; the United States Medical Licensing Examination Composite Committee; "history maker" awardee from SELAM and the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Taskforce on Defining International Standards in Basic Medical Education. She received the Joseph F. Boyle, MD, Award for Distinguished Public Service in 1992. An avid Scrabble player, she was a member of Mensa International.

External links

• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences website
• George Washington University School of Medicine
• Education Committee for Foreign Medical Graduates
• United States Medical Licensing Examination
• International Medical Graduates United
• Society for Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine
• Albany Medical College
• Women in Nephrology
• American Society for Nephrology
• Springfield College, Springfield, MA
• Drexel University College of Medicine