Feature | A Timeline of Achievements For Women Cardiologists

March 7, 2017
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In a field typically dominated by men, pioneering women have brought diversity and innovation to cardiovascular medicine, enriching heart health and patient care. Female cardiologists were once a rarity, with the first women physicians training during the 19th century. These early women physicians were determined to serve and broke down traditions and barriers to enter medical schools, crossing such hurdles as having their medical school admissions contingent on approval of their classmates. Their work created a strong model to build upon, setting the stage for the next generations to grow and thrive within the field. The members of the Women in Cardiology Section continue to grow their accomplishments, and honor their contributions.

Click the year or decade below to expose or hide its content.

1930s
1930s
  • 1936
    • Maude Abbott, MD invented an international classification system for congenital heart disease, which became the definitive reference guide to the subject.
      • Cardiology Magazine
    • 1940s
    1940s
  • 1943
    • Myra Adele Logan, MD becomes the first woman to operate on a human heart.
      • Cardiology Magazine
  • 1944
    • Helen B. Taussig, MD, FACC developed the operation to correct the congenital heart defect that causes "blue baby" syndrome. This achievement led to her being known as the founder of pediatric cardiology.
      • Cardiology Magazine
    • 1950s
    1950s
  • 1956
    • Olga M. Haring, MD, FACC becomes the first female Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC).
      • Olga M. Haring, MD, FACC; Used with permission of Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Galter Health Sciences Library, Chicago, IL, USA.

      Above image used with permission of Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Galter Health Sciences Library, Chicago, IL, USA.

    • 1960s
    1960s
  • 1964
    • Helen B. Taussig, MD, FACC received the Medal of Freedom from President Lyndon B. Johnson.
      • Cardiology Magazine
  • 1965
    • Helen B. Taussig, MD, FACC becomes the first female president of the American Heart Association.
    • 1970s
    1970s
  • 1974
    • Edith Irby Jones, MD helped to found the Association of Black Cardiologists.
      • Cardiology Magazine
  • 1977
    • Jacqueline Noonan, MD, FACC becomes the first female governor of an ACC Chapter (Kentucky).
      • Cardiology Magazine
    • 1980s
    1980s
  • 1981
    • Helen B. Taussig, MD, FACC becomes the first woman to be selected for ACC's gifted educator award.
  • 1986
    • The Women In Thoracic Surgery Organization was founded.

    • Suzanne B. Knoebel, MD, MACC becomes the first woman to receive ACC's distinguished fellow award.
      • Cardiology Magazine
    • 1990s
    1990s
  • 1991
    • Bernadine Healy, MD, FACC becomes the first woman to direct the National Institutes of Health.
  • 1992
    • Bernadine Healy, MD, FACC is the first woman to be recognized for her distinguished seivice by the ACC.

    • Airlie A. C. Cameron, MD, FACC becomes first female president of Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions.

    • Ruth Collins-Nakai, MD, MACC becomes the first woman chair of the Board of Governors.
      • Cardiology Magazine
  • 1993
    • The American Heart Association's Women in Cardiology Committee is established.
  • 1998
    • Suzanne B. Knoebel, MD, MACC becomes the first woman president and Master of theACC (MACC).

    • The WIC Section's Professional Life Suivey is published for the first time in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

    • Nancy Dickey, MD is inaugurated as the first female president of the American Medical Association.
      • Cardiology Magazine
    • 2000s
    2000s
  • 2000
    • Elizabeth O. Ofili, MBBS, MPH, FACC becomes the first woman president of the Association of Black Cardiologists.
      • Cardiology Magazine
  • 2004
    • The Women in Cardiology (WIC) Section holds its first Section meeting on Nov. 8 in New Orleans at AHA 2004.
  • 2005
    • The British Cardiovascular Society's (BCS) Women in Cardiology Committee was established.

    • The ACC officially launches the WIC Member Section.
      • Cardiology Magazine

    • The WIC Virtual Mentorship Program launches on ACC's website.

    • Elizabeth G. Nabel, MD becomes the first woman director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
      • Cardiology Magazine
  • 2006
    • The first WIC Global Women's Breakfast takes place at ACC.06.
      • Cardiology Magazine

    • The WIC Visiting Professor Program launches with visits to six internal medicine programs in its first year.
  • 2007
    • Jane W. Newburger, MD, MPH, FACC is the first woman awarded ACC's distinguished scientist award.
      • Cardiology Magazine

    • ACC holds its first Women's Career and Professional Development Program.
  • 2009
    • Nanette Kass Wenger, MD, MACC is named as ACC's first woman distinguished mentor.
      • Cardiology Magazine
    • 2010s
    2010s
  • 2013
    • The first WIC Section Advocacy Workshop is held at ACC's Legislative Conference.
  • 2015
    • Sarah Clarke, MD, FACC becomes the first female president of the BCS.
      • Cardiology Magazine

    • The WIC Section celebrates its 10th anniversary at ACC.15.
      • Cardiology Magazine

    • The first WIC Leadership Workshop is held at Heart House.