Sezer Aksel Oral History Interview, 2007

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Summary

Creator:
Aksel, Sezer and Duke University. Medical Center. Archives.
Abstract:
Sezer Aksel was the second female to graduate from the residency program in Duke's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She became the professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of South Alabama in 1981. This collection contains 1 oral history interview conducted on September 13, 2007 by Jessica Roseberry as part of the Women in Duke Medicine Oral History Exhibit. In this interview, Aksel discusses her experiences as a woman within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke and establishing the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of South Alabama.
Extent:
1 interview (1 master audiocassette tape, 1 master and 1 use CD, and 1 digital transcript)
Language:
English
Collection ID:
OH.AKSELS

Background

Scope and content:

Includes 1 oral history interview with Dr. Sezer Aksel conducted on September 13, 2007 by Jessica Roseberry as part of the Women in Duke Medicine Oral History Exhibit.
In this interview, Aksel discusses her background in Turkey; her desire to become a physician even against her family's desires; coming to Duke Medical School; the difficulty understanding Southern accents; the friendly atmosphere at Duke; completing premedical courses at Duke; the new curriculum at Duke Medical School; her interest in physiology and endocrinology; her second year of residency at Johns Hopkins; women in her medical school class; the busy residency schedule at Duke; dressing facilities in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; working twice as hard initially to gain men's respect; her acceptance from the faculty of her department; the reputation of Dr. Eleanor Easley in the department; previous female interns in the department having a difficult time and leaving Duke; support from the nursing staff in the department; support from the department chair, Dr. Roy Parker; the supposition among some in the department that women patients did not like to see female doctors for ob-gyn care and Dr. Aksel's experiences to the contrary; the first baby delivered; endocrinology; endocrinology-related surgical procedures; laparoscopy; the length of residency determined by the department chair; operating as a resident; learning by doing; the growth of department; females who joined the residency in the department after she came; changes due to more females; the male-dominated nature of dressing facilities in department; job opportunities after finishing residency; and establishing the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of South Alabama.
The transcription of this interview was made possible by a grant from the Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Sezer Aksel was born in Izmir, Turkey, in 1933. She went to high school in the American Collegiate Institute in Izmir, and received her undergraduate degree from Duke University Women's College. In 1970, she graduated with an MD from Duke University School of Medicine, and was a Mary Biddle Duke Scholar. In 1972, she completed a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center in reproductive endocrinology. In 1974, she became the second female to graduate from the residency in Duke's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the first being Dr. Eleanor Easley in 1941. Dr. Aksel completed a fellowship in the department in 1976 and served as assistant professor in the department from 1974 to 1976. Dr. Aksel served in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of South Alabama beginning in 1976. In 1981, she became the professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology in the Department of Obstetric and Gynecology at the University of South Alabama. Dr. Aksel has served on numerous committees, published widely, and is a member of several professional organizations.

Acquisition information:
Accession A2007.136 (September 2007)
Processing information:

Processed by Jessica Roseberry: June 2008; encoded by Dawne Howard Lucas: August 2008

Arrangement:
Organized into the following series: Interview, September 13, 2007.
Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Duke University Medical Center Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
DACS

Contents

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Terms of access:

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Sezer Aksel Oral History Interview, Duke University Medical Center Archives.