Strong presence: Greater diversity in medicine

Asian-American women are increasingly becoming a force in the medical community.

By Beth Wilson, amednews correspondent. March 10, 2003.

Linda Dairicki Shortliffe, MD, began her medical studies in the mid-'70s, accustomed to being different.

"When I entered medical school, I'd always been treated like a minority," said Dr. Shortliffe, whose grandparents emigrated from Japan. "What you said as a minority can be ignored. Whereas a white male may say the same thing and it's like you didn't say anything."

Dr. Shortliffe, now a professor and chair of urology at Stanford University's School of Medicine, found her own path to success, albeit quietly. "I didn't have a lot of people to talk to," she said of her medical school days. "Nobody really told me about anything. I didn't know about a lot of the [professional] societies."

Today's female Asian-American medical students may not face the isolation Dr. Shortliffe dealt with 30 years ago. Asian-Americans are the largest segment of women entering medicine, behind whites, and the group is gathering strength, acceptance and political savvy.

Stephanie Su, MD, and Dorise Yang, MD, are both fifth-year residents in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Both came to the United States from China as young girls.

Citing the growing number of women physicians and those of Asian origin, Dr. Su says her ethnicity plays little, if any, role in her work.

"Some of the stereotypes are good stereotypes, like Asians are very hard-working," she said. "Overall, I didn't feel there was any extra stigma."

[...]

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