Graduation year: 2004
Majors/Minors: Biological Sciences, Gender Studies
Current occupation: Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cleveland, OH
Favorite Gender Studies class/professor/memory from your experience at Notre Dame:
I loved all my Gender Studies classes, but my favorite may have been my Feminist and Multicultural Theology course with professor Hilkert. More than any other class it challenged me to consider my beliefs and engage in dialogue with my feminist ideologies and my Catholic beliefs.
Your experience with Gender Studies/gender issues at Notre Dame:
Gender and women’s studies have been an interest of mine for as long as I can remember, and the Gender Studies Program was one of the reasons I came to Notre Dame. I felt more engaged and challenged by my gender studies courses than any other at Notre Dame, and I looked forward to the discussions born out of each class. I loved the program and am happy that it is continuing today.
How your Gender Studies education has impacted your life:
I have had a focus on women and issues involving them throughout my life, and I am now only working with women as an obstetrician/gynecologist. I have also always wanted to be a physician, so my Gender Studies background allowed me to learn about the obstacles that women have overcome to be in the medical (as well as many other) professions and inspire me to follow in their footsteps. By going into Women’s Health I have been able to continue my focus on women in my professional life as I care for women from their first pap smear, through childbirth, and beyond menopause.
Your hopes for the future of Gender Studies at Notre Dame:
I hope that the Program will continue to grow, continue to attract students interested in diversity and equality, and continue to challenge tradition in order to understand why we do what we do and how to better the future for all students at the University of Notre Dame.