MEET LOCAL LEGEND: Kathryn Reed, M.D.

BIOGRAPHY

Kathryn Reed held a newly-minted degree in Philosophy from Pomona College in California when she arrived in New York City in the early 1970s, sure that she wanted to change the world but not sure how. "I wanted political change to occur. At the time I worked at a hospital in Harlem, and at some point I came to believe that to help people take charge of their lives, I had to get practical and first make them healthy."

So she left New York and returned to her native Arizona to pursue a career in medicine, a journey that has since brought her academic and medical honors without dampening her commitment to change.

Now Interim Department Head for Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Reed first made an impact as one of the pioneers in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, doing research on fetal cardiac physiology and ultrasound with Doppler which is now widely used in the medical community. Reed specializes in high-risk obstetrics and prenatal diagnosis, and has authored two books (published in 1988 and 1994) and numerous publications in scientific and medical journals on fetal echocardiography and Doppler.

Nominated by Rep Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-7) to be a Local Legend, Reed headed the recent GRACE (Generating Respect for All in a Climate of Academic Excellence) research project that examined the causes of discrepancies in salary, advancement, and opportunities between male and female faculty at the University's of Arizona's College of Medicine. The GRACE project was a collaborative effort, Reed stressed, with some two dozen committee members contributing to the study and final report on the causes of gender disparities at the College of Medicine.

Colleagues Kenneth Hatch, MD and Francisco A.R. Garcia, MD, MPH call Reed a tireless advocate for the advancement of women and minority faculty. "I have a lot of interest in how change is actually accomplished," Reed said. "Ensuring change and not stifling change is my hope."

After graduating from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Reed began her career as a Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University's Health Sciences Center. An early fascination with imaging technology drew her into obstetrical ultrasound where she gained national recognition for her research and application of the new technology. "I had a sense that it could bring real benefit to people so I dived into ultrasound and fetal well being," she said.

She continues her work in maternal-fetal medicine but is looking forward to the challenges of guiding the department where she remains a strong and visible role model and mentor for women and minorities in the College of Medicine.