Leadership Spotlight — Vicki Burkhart

A look back at 25 years of service to the Foundation

The Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation’s founding executive director, Vicki Burkhart, will be stepping away at the end of this month after leading the organization for 25 years. We are incredibly grateful for all the hard work and dedication Vicki has put into our mission of preserving and promoting the history of women in medicine.

Vicki was a critical part of the establishment of the Foundation, formerly known as the Foundation for the History of Women in Medicine (FHWIM). We asked her to reflect on her time leading the organization and what is ahead in the next 25 years.

Protecting the history

“I was the Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann Medical school for many years. The original Woman's Medical School alumni was part of my responsibility, as was the Special Trust Fund, which ultimately sponsored the initial launch of the FHWIM. When the merger with Drexel occurred, the Special Trust Fund created a committee to help see the Archives and Special Collections on Women in Medicine through bankruptcy. I was part of that committee.”

“Once that was complete, the Foundation became a client of The Burkhart Group. This was 25 years ago, and I have been working with them ever since.”

The Foundation's legacy

“I believe the Foundation has become a center point for the historic journeys of women in medicine throughout the years. With a continued expansion of the HUB, it will provide medical professionals, educators, historians, and others with a wealth of information on the paths women took to become physicians and scientists — in their own words. It has the potential to be a very special collection, featuring women pioneers and champions.”

Favorite Foundation memory

“Most of my favorite memories are generated from my relationships with Women's Medical School alumna, very special people like Alma Morani herself. I remember the award presentation when she received the very first Alma Dea Morani, MD Renaissance Woman Award. It was so fitting that she be the first recipient and that the award carry her name. She was a true pioneer and a force to be reckoned with. I feel very blessed to have known her.”

As we prepare to say goodbye to Vicki, we are seeking donations to help us continue advancing our mission in her honor. Your support is essential to our work as stewards of women's history in medicine.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Vicki Burkhart, you can do so here. We are proud to have had Vicki as our founding executive director, and we look forward to continuing our work in her honor.