On Wednesday, January 9, 2008 members and guests attending the January General Program of the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead, Inc. were pleased to hear former Garden City resident Catherine S. Manno, MD, speak on the timely topic of "Women In Medicine In The 21st Century." Dr. Manno, who is the daughter of Past President Marie Scott and the late Dr. John Scott, is a professor of pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, as well as associate chair for clinical activities in the department of pediatrics and medical director of the Children's Hospital Hemostasis and Trombosis Center.

Using slides to accompany her lecture, Dr. Nano first presented an overview of women doctors from as far back as Ancient Greece thru to the 19th and 20th century. They overcame the prevailing prejudice held against women entering medicine and were able to have successful careers as physicians and, in turn, influence other women to pursue similar careers. Women's lib effected many professions and medicine was one of them. Medical schools were prevailed upon to accept more and more women until now most freshman classes are abut a 50/50 ratio compared to the mid 19th century of 4% and mid-20th century when the high was 25%.

Of course, economics plays a factor too. The average cost of a medical education today ranges from $140,000 for a public medical school to $225,000 for a private school with costs rising each year. As a result, sixty percent of all students come from the richest twenty percent of the population. This means that many students must pursue other careers to earn the money to pay for medical school Women of child-bearing age are most affected by this, for the average length of study to become an MD is 13 years, a specialist 15 years and an MD/PH 20 years since the AMA has estimated there will be a shortfall of 100,000 doctors by the year 2020 and that to meet this need medical school enrollment should be increased by thirty percent. Dr. Manno is hoping that more financial aid will become available as well as some innovative approaches be made such as part-time and evening classes be taught.

Some of the statistics quoted by Dr. Manning were discouraging. Women physicians still earn less than comparable male doctors, only twelve percent of female medical school grads are deans. Women are still not permitted to hold certain positions in the medical field, and fewer mentoring relationships are available for women students. Hopefully all this will change by the 22nd century! A lively question and answer session took place after the lecture. It was a very informative and thought-provoking afternoon.

Prior to the start of the talk, President Marye Heston held a short business meeting during which the minutes of the previous meeting were read by recording secretary Anne Heinzelman and Caroline Kaiser gave the treasurer's report. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by historian Joan Afflerbach. Then Past President Bea Mercandante introduced Dr. Manno. Phyllis Dimo and Ruth Lo Bosco were in charge of hospittality, decorations were by Marilyn Kerr, members and guest were welcomed by Lee Amrheim and Marge Maher handled general arrangements and stood in for general program chairman Ruth Collins.

Our next general program will take place on Wednesday February 6, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at the Garden City Casino when Stephen and Marilyn Hicks will apppear to tell us the history not only of Hicks Nurseries but of the Hicks family as well. Please be sure to attend what promiuses to be a very interesting and entertaining program.

To learn more about the Community Club and its vast array of programs, trips and fine arts classes please call our office at 516-746-0488 from 9:30 a.m. 5o 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.