To celebrate Women’s History Month, we are proud to highlight Dr. Pamela Benson, the first female emergency medicine physician. An inspirational figure who broke barriers and paved the way for many physicians to come, Dr. Benson graduated from Women’s Medical College (which eventually became Medical College of Pennsylvania) in 1971.
During her time at Women’s Medical College, Dr. Benson crossed paths with Dr. David Wagner, a pediatric surgeon overseeing the emergency department. According to Emergency Physicians Monthly, Dr. Wagner was developing one of the first emergency medicine training programs in the country.
When Dr. Benson expressed her interest in emergency medicine, Dr. Wagner asked her to present the approval request for the new EM residency program to the American Medical Association. After receiving the green light, the program launched in 1971 with Benson as its first resident. Once she completed her training, Dr. Benson practiced emergency medicine in Maine where she was instrumental in establishing standards and training for emergency medical service providers.
As a leader in her field, Dr. Benson’s impact extends far beyond her clinical practice. A charter member of American College of Emergency Physicians, she was the first woman elected to its Board of Directors and the first woman to serve as President. Her leadership extended to other influential boards, including the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) and Health Volunteers Overseas.
In 2010, Dr. Benson embarked on a new endeavor, authoring an e-learning course aimed at aiding medical coders in understanding the intricacies of anatomy and physiology for ICD-10 diagnosis coding. This initiative evolved into the publication Physician Documentation Prescription, a book detailing efficient diagnosis and effective documentation for physicians.
Despite facing initial skepticism from some colleagues, Dr. Benson’s unwavering dedication and exemplary patient care solidified her reputation as a trailblazer in emergency medicine. Her contributions have been instrumental in advancing the field and advocating for the interests of emergency physicians nationwide.
In 2015, Dr. Benson retired from clinical practice, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and innovation. Her influence continues to reverberate through her ongoing involvement in ACEP, where she remains an active and respected voice in shaping the future of emergency medicine.
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