WFSU to host virtual discussion on FSU Film faculty’s ‘Daring Women Doctors’ documentary, Sept. 10

“Daring Women Doctors: Physicians in the 19th Century,” airing nationally on more than 90 percent of PBS stations throughout July. Interns at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, photo courtesy of Drexel University Archives and Special Collections.

WFSU Public Media will host a special hour-long virtual panel discussion focusing on the history of early women physicians and the legacy of that experience today.

The event, “Breaking Barriers: Women in Medicine,” will feature Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts filmmaker in residence Valerie Scoon and segments of her documentary, “Daring Women Doctors: Physicians in the 19th Century,” which she wrote and produced.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, via Facebook Live and Zoom.

The film highlights the fearless, pioneering and diverse women who faced hostility and resistance in their pursuit of a medical education.

“I am very excited to share the untold story of these intrepid and diverse, early women physicians,” Scoon said. “To become doctors, they had to overcome enormous obstacles.”

During the discussion, the panel of historians and preeminent medical doctors of today will expand on the efforts of these women and explore the issues women in medicine are still facing today.

Panelists will include:

  • Valerie Scoon, director of “Daring Women Doctors,” FSU College of Motion Picture Arts, filmmaker-in-residence
  • Dr. Andrea K. Friall, chief medical officer, Tallahassee Memorial Health Care
  • Dr. Kim Templeton, professor and vice chair of Diversity, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas-Kansas City
  • Jenna Tonn, visiting assistant professor of Science and Technology Studies, Department of History, Boston College
  • Carolyn Skinner, author, associate professor of English, Ohio State University
  • Dr. Eliza Lo Chin, executive director, American Medical Women’s Association
  • Matt Herbison, archivist, Legacy Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University
  • Suzanne Smith, moderator, WFSU Public Media

This event is sponsored in part by the American Medical Women’s Association and Drexel University Legacy Center Archives.

To participate in the live panel discussion, register on Zoom or visit Facebook LiveWatch the full documentary on WFSU.org.