AN ORIGINAL PLAY BY 
JERRY JAMES 
FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY 
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL THEATRE 
LISTER HILL CENTER AUDITORIUM 
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Changing the face of Medicine 
An original theatrical production that celebrates the lives and achievements 
of America's women physicians. 
Produced by the NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE 
in conjunction with the exhibition 
Changing the face of Medicine: Celebrating America's Women Physicians \#V / I /X 
▼ T I III 
to the National Library of Medicine 
and Changing the Face of Medicine: 
Celebrating America’s Women Physicians. As Chief of the History of Medicine 
Division and as a historian of medicine, I have long been interested in 
the historical struggles of women to gain entrance to scientific and 
medical careers, to obtain well-deserved recognition for their work, and 
most especially, to make a difference in the lives of their patients, the 
quality of life of their neighborhoods, and the health of the population 
at large. It is a great pleasure for me to see this splendid exhibition and 
the play it has inspired, also with the title, Changing the Face of Medicine. 
I’d like to thank our very talented exhibition staff, most especially Patricia 
Tuohy, Head of the Exhibition Program, Manon Parry, the Associate 
Curator for the exhibition, and Kevin Schlesier, the Exhibition Program 
Coordinator. Each did an outstanding job, aided by the many National 
Library of Medicine staff members who have contributed to making the 
exhibition such a success. Our gratitude also to Dr. Ellen More, our 
Visiting Curator, the author of Restoring the Balance: Women Physicians and 
the Practice of Medicine, 1850-1995 (1999), who guided the conceptual 
development of the exhibition and was generous in sharing her scholarly 
expertise; to our very distinguished Advisory Group members who 
nominated the women whose lives we here celebrate; and to Dr. Marion 
Hunt, who initially suggested that we create an exhibition about the 
history of women physicians and did much of the initial research to lay 
the foundations for this project. As always, our Director, Dr. Donald A.B. 
Lindberg, took a very lively interest in the entire project and was insistently 
eager to see it done well. 
This play, and the exhibition, honors the lives and contributions of 
America’s women physicians. We celebrate the lives of these women, 
and the men and other women who helped them along the way. 
We hope you will enjoy Changing the Face of Medicine, our theatrical production 
Elizabeth Fee, Ph.D. 
Chief, History of Medicine Division 
National Library of Medicine  Synopsis 
Changing the Face of Medicine, an original 
theatrical production, draws on some of the 
remarkable stories of women physicians included 
in an exhibition of the same name at the 
National Library of Medicine. 
With only the bare minimum of props or costume, the play can be performed 
anywhere, yet the experiences portrayed are vividly recreated for audiences 
of all ages. Based on real events, and often told in their own words, the 
struggles and achievements of women in medicine over the last one hundred 
and fifty years come to life on the stage. Will their determination inspire 
you to break down a barrier, fight for your rights and for the rights of 
others, or travel the world to help those in need? 
Setting Their Sights 
The play opens over one hundred and fifty years ago, when young women had 
to fight even to be allowed to attend medical school. Traditional ideas about 
their roles as wives and mothers were used to exclude women from education 
and professional careers. Elizabeth Blackwell, who we meet at the very beginning 
of this story, was the first woman in America to earn a medical degree. She 
spent her life campaigning for women in medicine, and founded a hospital 
and college to give them more opportunities. African American physician 
Rebecca Cole worked with Dr. Blackwell in New York, after graduating medical 
school in 1867. By the start of the twentieth century, women physicians had 
made significant inroads in the professions, yet they were still discouraged from 
pursuing careers in fields like surgery and scientific research. How could they 
break through this glass ceiling? Making Their Mark 
Women physicians brought new perspectives to medicine and often 
focused on problems that were not being addressed. Alice Hamilton 
focused on the illnesses of workers and helped develop the field of 
occupational health in America. In this play you can hear about the 
difficulties she faced as the first woman on the faculty at Harvard Medical 
School, and how pediatrician Helen Taussig handled discrimination as 
a medical student. Their research has led to breakthrough discoveries 
that benefit patients and communities around the world, yet the work 
of women physicians has not always been fairly acknowledged. During 
the Second World War, when soldiers and doctors were desperately 
needed, women were given opportunities they had never been offered 
before. How could they ensure that the progress that had been made 
for women in the profession would continue? 
Changing Medicine, Changing Life 
Recognizing the need for more diversity in medicine, many have focused 
on increasing the numbers of women and minorities at every level of 
the profession. Although nowadays men and women attend medical 
school in equal numbers, inequalities after graduation mean that women 
may not earn as much as their male colleagues, advance as rapidly in 
their careers, or win appointments at the highest levels. In 1991, Bernadine 
Healy was appointed director of the National Institutes of Health. She 
was the first woman ever to hold that office, and as we learn in the play, 
she and her family knew this marked an historic moment. As a leader 
in the field, she had an opportunity to raise the profile of women’s 
health issues and to improve the lives of millions. What would it be like 
if every group in society were properly represented at every level of the 
profession, and if the concerns of all those in need were made a priority? 
Health care professionals treat individual patients, communities, and 
whole populations, solving problems and looking for new answers that 
benefit us all. Can you see yourself in such a role?  Ethan’s many voices and expressive face have him in constant 
demand for roles that demonstrate his versatility. He has 
a fine baritone voice and sings with two quartets and is a 
staple in Philadelphia’s Gilbert and Sullivan productions. 
He has appeared at People’s Light, Villanova and Walnut 
Street Theatres in contemporary and classical plays. Recently 
was seen in Hack and Sex and the City. 
Elizabeth Michaels is one of Philadelphia’s best-known faces 
in the acting community. She is seen often in local and 
national TV commercials and in main stage productions 
from Plaza Suite to Much Ado About Nothing. Elizabeth has 
performed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia and 
teaches acting every summer to young people. 
Hannah is a graduate of the University of the Arts in 
Philadelphia. She is constantly active with the vibrant 
i Philadelphia theater scene, from the classics to children’s 
I theater, in such capacities as choreographer, dancer, singer, 
| and actor. Possessing a lovely soprano voice, she sings at 
her church and recently she directed and produced her 
own Greek wedding. 
Kim Hanley 
Kim, the Assistant Director, is also an actor, dancer, singer, 
choreographer, and costume designer. Trained as a ballet 
dancer, Kim got her BFA from the State University of New 
York. She has appeared as Abigail Adams, Molly Pitcher, and 
a host of other historical characters. She has also scripted and 
starred in an educational video, Betsy Ross and the Flag, 
produced by AHT. 
William Alan Buckley 
A graduate of CalArts, Technical Director, Michael Alan 
Buckley, was one of the founding members of AHT. A resident 
of Annapolis, he produces a weekly radio program, Voices of the 
Bay, which presents an eclectic selection of music together 
with lively interviews all dealing with the Chesapeake. Michael 
has also edited and produced educational videos and vers for 
AHT such as Betsy Ross and the Flag and The Young Jefferson. Information 
SCHEDULED PERFORMANCES at Lister Hill Center Auditorium (Building 38A) 
Tuesday, March 23, 2004 Wednesday, April 21, 2004 
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm 
Wednesday, March 24, 2004 Thursday, April 22, 2004 
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm 
For more information about the exhibition or to schedule a guided tour 
of Changing the Face of Medicine, please contact Jiwon Kim at 301.496.5963 
or at educator@nlm.nih.gov