Dr. Peter Kent Smith, MD, Chief of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Duke University Medical Center, is a heart surgeon who specializes in coronary artery bypass, grafting, and valve replacement. This collection contains 2 oral history interviews conducted on July 22, 1994 and January 3, 1996 by Dr. James Gifford. Both interviews are included in the Dr. David Sabiston Oral History Project. In the July 22, 1994 interview Smith discusses his background in research and the operation of his laboratory. In the January 3, 1996 interview Smith discusses his career as a thoracic surgeon, and particularly his work as Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery.
Contains the professional papers of Philip Handler (1917-1981), professor and chair of Duke University's Department of Biochemistry. Types of materials include correspondence, programs, bulletins, illustrations, exams, course materials, applications, agendas, reports, writings, clippings, speeches, tributes, invoices, reprints, biographical materials, questionnaires, and photographs. Major correspondents include Wilburt Cornell Davison, Barnes Woodhall, andWilliam A. Perlzweig. Major subjects include Duke University's Research Training Program, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, medical education, National Academy of Sciences, Lederle Laboratories, and Oak Ridge Laboratories. Materials date from 1933 to 1982.
Dr. Philip H. Pearce, a graduate of the Duke University School of Medicine, was a partner in the Durham Women's Clinic from 1967 to 2004 where he worked closely with Dr. Eleanor B. Easley, the clinic's co-founder. This collection contains 2 oral history interviews conducted on May 25, 2007 by Jessica Roseberry as part of the Women in Duke Medicine Oral History Exhibit and March 21, 2024 by Ava Meigs as part of the Bass Connections Agents of Change Oral History Project. In the May 25, 2007 interview, Pearce discusses Easley and the Durham Women's Clinic. In the March 21, 2024 interview, which primarily focuses on Easley as a pivotal figure at Duke and in Durham, Pearce discusses Easley's experiences as the first woman to receive a four-year medical degree from Duke, her primary responsibilities at the Durham Women's clinic, her abortion advocacy and involvement in medical politics, and her impact on women's health care and health equity. The themes of this interview includes gender discrimination, abortion advocacy, women's health, community activism, and health equity.
Contains photographs of the Duke University Medical Center (DUMC), staff, students, professors, departments, events and educational activities, class reunions, class photographs, and student life. Photographs of affiliated local hospitals such as Watts Hospital and Lincoln Hospital are also included. Also contains photographs appearing in the publications the Intercom (1979-1986) and Perspectives (1980-1991). Materials were created by various Duke University photographers, including staff from the Division of Educational Medial Services and Duke Photography; individuals; and the United States government. Types of materials include photographic prints of varying sizes, 35mm slides, film negatives of varying sizes, and digital files. Materials range in date from 1928 to 2024.
Phyllis C. Leppert, MD, is a physician, researcher, and advocate for women's health. She dedicated her career and life to improving reproductive healthcare outcomes and abortion rights for women of all backgrounds. Leppert's career in women's health began in nursing and midwifery, but later she received both a medical degree from Duke University and a doctorate degree from Columbia University. She worked as the chief of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Reproductive Branch and began the first national Clinical Reproductive Endocrinology Scientist Training Program in conjunction with Duke University. In 2006, she joined Duke's faculty. During her medical career, her research focused on the role of the cervix during pregnancy/birth and uterine fibroids. This collection contains 2 oral history interviews conducted on January 24 and March 2, 2024 by Gemma Holland as part of the Bass Connections Agents of Change Oral History Project. In the January 22 and March 2, 2024 interviews, Leppert discusses transitioning from nursing to medical school, encountering gender-related challenges in male-dominated environments, and navigating a diverse career trajectory spanning clinical practice, research, and academia. The themes of these interviews include gender dynamics in healthcare, mentorship, advocacy for underrepresented groups, and the impact of interdisciplinary collaboration on addressing complex healthcare problems.
Contains the administrative records of the Physician Assistant (PA) Program at the Duke University Medical Center, as well as the papers of the following program administrators: D. Robert Howard, John James McQueary, Reginald D. Carter, and Patricia (Pat) M. Dieter. Types of materials include correspondence, minutes, handbooks, grant materials, certificates, newsletters, budgets, reports, proceedings, subject files, publications, awards, photographs, audiotapes, memorabilia, clippings, announcements, memoranda, reprints, seminar flyers, original comic strip artwork, plaques, scrapbooks, oral history tapes and transcripts, computer disks, magnetic cards, videos, slides, and digital files. Major organizations include the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Academy of Physician Assistant Programs, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Eugene A. Stead Society. Major subjects include establishment of the PA profession, PA programs, PA history, admissions processes, curricula, PA education, accreditation standards, students, PA utilization and employment, certification of PAs, public and professional acceptance of PAs, third party Medicare Reimbursement, continuing medical education, area health education centers, and PA legislation. Materials range in date from 1964 to 2021.
Dr. Priya Kishnani was involved in designing the first clinical trials for a new treatment of Glycogen Storage Disease Type II, also known as Pompe disease, at Duke. She has become an expert in designing clinical trials for treatments of rare diseases, and has dedicated her career to advancing the treatment of Pompe disease globally. This collection contains 1 oral history interview conducted on December 29, 2010 by Jessica Roseberry as part of the Women in Duke Medicine Oral History Exhibit. In this interview, Kishnani discusses her research with Pompe Disease patients and the experience of being a female in science and the medical field.