The Committee on Women

In Dr. Leonard’s reprinted article in the July 2026 newsletter, we were reminded of the rich history of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society (PaPS). Indeed, the legacy created by those early pioneering psychiatrists should be a source of pride and inspire awe in all of us. We current members stand on the shoulders of many generations of Pennsylvania psychiatrists. Perhaps some of our institutional strength and grit comes from our storied history.

A cornerstone of the PaPS story belongs to our female members. The original committee was comprised of women psychiatrists who gathered regularly, eventually to plan a yearly educational forum. This group was formed under Genevra Ziegler-Driscoll, MD in the mid 1980’s and lasted into the next century. There were representatives in the group from across the state, representing most of the chapters. For many of our current younger members, it may be hard to appreciate how forward thinking and progressive this group was for the time. Past members of The Committee on Women who were interviewed for this article described the group as forward thinking, innovative and progressive.  Remember, at that time, the vast majority of the leadership roles amongst the chapters and at the state level were filled by men.

Despite the distance, these women traveled from various parts of the state to be a part of this community, usually on weeknights after work and annually for Sunday brunch at a member’s host home. While Zoom and technology has its benefits, there is something to be said about in- person gatherings like this. These meetings allowed for a certain type of magical synergy, creativity, personal connection and professional growth.

An Incubator for Psychiatric Leaders

Many of the members who participated in this group went on to become leaders at the chapter and state level, many becoming chapter and district branch presidents, not to mention in their own respective careers. This group was also responsible for involving the first chair of the committee on residents, Sheila Judge, MD (1987). Prior to this time, residents were not involved in any formal capacity. Much like a loving and secure parent- child attachment, perhaps this group provided many of these women a secure and stable foundation to grow into the leaders that they would eventually become.

An educational showcase for female psychiatrists

The group was purposeful in selecting educational topics that were, for the time, cutting edge, innovative and female centric. They specifically chose female psychiatrists as speakers, many of whom were still early in their careers. Consider these chosen titles reflecting the group’s clever and creative spirit:

            The Seventh Annual Women’s Forum (1993)

            Menopause: Women In Their Middle Years
            Hormones: Havoc or Harmony
            Biology During Menopause (speaker, Michelle Battistini, MD)

            The Pause that Refreshes?
            Psychodynamics During Menopause  (speaker, Malkah T. Notman, MD)

            The Pause that Depresses?
            Treatment of Psychopathology During Menopause (speaker, Leslie Gise, MD)

Physician speakers like Ellen Leibenluft, Lesley Gise, Leah Dickstein, Carol Nadelson and Malkah Notman (The Woman Patient) were chosen by the group to showcase the unique expertise of these female psychiatrists.

Dr. Ruiza Yee shared her recollection of a “mock trial” held one year during the educational forum, replete with attorney and expert witnesses. This was yet another example of the group’s creativity providing interesting and relevant educational experiences.

A Community

Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s, without Zoom or sophisticated conference calls, gatherings were in person. They were effortful, required intentionality and purpose. One could argue that this collective effort resulted in a true community. Dr. Sheila Judge: “When we were together, it was easy to communicate. That gathered energy led to creativity and fun”. Dr. Mary Anne Albaugh: “Since I lived in Erie, I felt like a distant cousin, coming into Philadelphia for the meetings. I have fond memories of these trips”.

This begs the question, with all of technology at our fingertips, are we better off now than we were 30 years ago with respect to community? Do PaPS female members feel a sense of community? What type of community do we want to be?

Future Connections

Perhaps we can learn and be inspired from these women who devoted space for this group in their busy lives. In a few months, we will be gathering for the Keystone Psychiatric Forum, the inaugural statewide conference with this name but, as advised by wiser women, not the first statewide conference. During this conference, there will be opportunities to connect with colleagues, meet new ones, learn, plan and engage. Saturday afternoon, there will be a women’s networking reception. Perhaps this gathering can be the rebirth of those early magical gatherings in the homes of Dr. Susan Sehn, Dr. Sheila Judge, and Dr. Barbara Schindler, among many others, all of whom helped to shape the Committee on Women and ultimately, PaPS.

Gratitude

Thanks to Dr. Barbara Schindler, Dr. Ruiza Yee, Dr. Sheila Judge, Dr. Mary Anne Albaugh and Dr. Hope Selarnick for their warm recollections and their contributions for this article.

In addition, thanks to Matt Harbison of the Drexel Legacy Center for his efforts in researching Dr. Schindler’s archived information. If you are interested in learning more about the history of Drexel University College of Medicine, its predecessor institutions including Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann University and the history of women in medicine, nationally and internationally please visit: https://drexel.edu/legacy-center/.

To Register for the Keystone Psychiatric Conference https://paps.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=4091&club_id=467300&item_id=2986483