The Ann Preston, MD, Scholarship is named for the first woman dean of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, a predecessor of Drexel Unversity College of Medicine. After being denied entry into the existing medical colleges in Philadelphia, all of which refused to accept female students at the time, Ann Preston enrolled in the first class at the newly established Female (later Woman's) Medical College of Pennsylvania and received her medical degree in 1851. As women were also barred from educational clinics and medical societies, Dr. Preston secured funding and management for a woman's hospital to provide clinical experience for women physicians. The hospital opened in 1861, and a school of nursing followed in 1863. She was named dean of the college in 1866 and was appointed to the board the following year. This scholarship supports female medical students at the College of Medicine whose career choice is primary care, including family practice, obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics, in medically underserved communities, with a focus on Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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Following medical school, Dr. Carson trained in internal medicine and practiced in that field throughout her career. In 1987, she joined with Fran DuRocher, MD, WMC '70, in founding the Internal Medicine Practice of F.A. DuRocher, MD & B.A. Carson, MD, PC in Fairfax City, Virginia, and remained there until the practice closed upon their retirement in January 2004. Upon Dr. Carson's death in 2006, this scholarship was established with a bequest from her estate in testament to her strong and constant support of women in medicine and of her medical school. It is awarded annually to a non-traditional, third- or fourth-year female medical student who has maintained academic merit and demonstrated financial need; an interest or specialization in internal medicine is preferred.

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Dr. Cooper served as a member of the WMC faculty for many years before leaving to begin private practice as a cardiologist in Denton, TX. Her commitment to medicine and women in medicine continued throughout her life. After her death in 1992, this scholarship was created in her honor and funded jointly by the Trust Fund and the Estate of Boots Cooper, MD. It is awarded annually to an outstanding third- or fourth-year female medical student who has maintained academic merit and demonstrated financial need; an interest or specialization in cardiology is preferred.

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Dr. Kroser, a family physician in the Philadelphia area for many years, had a long-standing close relationship with her alma mater. She was a clinical assistant professor in the department of family medicine, a past president of the Alumni Association and a past president of the Trust Fund. An active advocate for her profession, Dr. Kroser held many leadership positions in the Philadelphia County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. She was also a past president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Women's Association and the Medical Women's International Association. To honor her dedication to medicine, women in medicine, and the medical school, this award was established upon her death in 2005 by the Trust Fund together with the Kroser Family. It is awarded annually to a third- or fourth-year female medical student who has maintained academic merit and demonstrated financial need.

The specific purpose of this scholarship is to defer travel expenses associated with attending a medical conference, pursuing an off-campus clerkship, engaging in volunteer services, or obtaining further medical training at an away location.

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The Mary DeWitt Pettit, MD, Fellowship is awarded to a young female faculty member to aid in advancing her career. Established in 1978, the Mary DeWitt Pettit Fellowship honors Dr. Pettit, a former chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, by funding research or other special projects that enable the recipient to acquire the credentials to advance in academic rank.

Fellowship Winners

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Dr. Badger became a physical therapist after college and then completed her medical education at WMC. Following training in orthopedics, she became one of the first female board-certified orthopedic surgeons. In addition to practicing orthopedics in Missouri and New Mexico, she served in the Army Reserves and regular Army for over 20 years retiring as a full Colonel. Dr. Badger died in 2009. These scholarships were established by a bequest from her estate. They are awarded annually to two third- or fourth-year female medical students who have maintained academic merit and demonstrated financial need; an interest or specialization in orthopedics, particularly pediatric orthopedics, is preferred.

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The specific purpose for the WMC/MCP Legacy Scholarship is to support female medical students at the College of Medicine whose career choice is primary care, including family practice, obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics, in medically underserved communities, with a focus on Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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The Legacy Center at Drexel University College of Medicine, a component of the Institute for Women's Health and Leadership, is the repository for the records and heritage of Drexel University College of Medicine and its predecessor institutions, including Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (W/MCP) and Hahnemann University. The WMC/MCP collections are composed of the institution's Archives and the Special Collections on Women in Medicine, collectively reflecting the history of the college and women in medicine. The Special Collections reach beyond the records of the College to include primary and secondary materials on the history of all women physicians, internationally. The Legacy Center also houses the records of international, national, and local medical women's organizations, including the American Women's Hospital Service, the American Medical Women's Association and the Medical Women's International Association. This fund was established in memory of Dr. Bartuska, who was a great friend and supporter of the Legacy Center. It underwrites a portion of the labor necessary to assist the Legacy Center in preserving and sharing materials that document the history of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania/the Medical College of Pennsylvania and women in medicine.

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Dr. Marciano was a noted pediatrician, ardent proponent of women in medicine, and a former Trust Fund trustee. At the time of her death in 2003, she was to have been that year's recipient of the Woman in Medicine Award. The award was presented posthumously and named in her memory. It is given annually to a female physician, scientist or staff member, preferably at the College of Medicine, to recognize her leadership, teaching of students, care of patients and status as a role model for women in medicine.

Award Winners

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