Wendy S. Klein , MD, FACP
 There are idea people and there are action people. And then, very rarely, there are the Wendy Kleins of the world - hybrids who astound all around them with their innovative approaches, dedication and energy.
What a difference she has made in the lives both of women overall and of women in medicine.
She has been the primary care physician for thousands of women, providing care so exemplary that she was repeatedly honored as not just one of the best physicians in Richmond, but one of the best doctors in America. One of her former patients, and current colleagues, has this to say of her: "Dr. Klein is not only a model and mentor for women in medicine, she is a friend to women in every discipline," wrote M. Njeri Jackson, Chair, Department of African American Studies at VCU. "Her pioneering work and accomplishment remind us of how far we have come and how much work is ahead of us. Her passion commitment, endurance, persistence, diplomacy, sense of humor and love of the healing professions are THE measures of professional achievement."
She co-founded the Women's Health Center at Stony Point, where she served as Medical Director from 1993-1998. "This thriving multispecialty clinic could not exist without Dr. Klein's ability to organize, lead and engage other stakeholders to invest in a vision for better health care for women," said Molly Carnes, M.D., M.S, Director of the Center for Women's Health Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
She designed the unique Women's Health Residency Program at VCU. "The education and exposure to all aspects of women's healthcare is simply top-notch," wrote Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates' Sarah Schenck, M.D. "The VCU women's health track is the most all inclusive, thoughtfully designed program in the country, bar none." "Her training program is outstanding; not only does Wendy provide an outstanding educational experience, but she also has mentored and developed her graduates to be future leaders in their field," added Melissa McNeil, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Pittsburgh.
To understand her impact in developing the Women's Health Residency Program, you need only listen to the voice of someone who has experienced it: "She has been the single most instrumental person to me in my development as a women's health physician, and is indispensable in her community, her field, and the VCU Medical Center as an academician and clinician," explained Kelsey E.S. Salley, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine and Women's Health Track resident. Dr. Klein continues her involvement as both the Program Director of the Women's Health Track in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, and as an Associate Professor in Internal Medicine and Obstetrics Gynecology at VCU.
"Not content with one excellent program, Dr. Klein co-founded the Association of Academic Women's Health Programs, (AAWHP), a national consortium of women's health residencies of which she is president elect," added Mary Nettleman, M.D., M.S., Chair, Department of Medicine, Michigan State University. "She also established an annual Women's Health Conference that is now one of the premier conferences in the country." "Her annual Women's Health Update Continuing Medical Education Conference is outstanding, VCU School of Medicine WISDM Professional Achievement Award Wendy S. Klein, M.D., FACP added Dr. McNeil. "She brings speakers with national reputations who highlight exciting and controversial clinical issues. Her mission to education practitioners in the quality care of women is deeply felt, flawlessly executed and without peer." She also is the founder of the Pathways to Leadership Conference, which has grown to a major regional professional development conference, now co-sponsored by the three Virginia medical schools, the Medical Society of Virginia, the Richmond Academy of Medicine, the Via Virginia College of Osteopathy, the VCU School of Dentistry, and the Virginia Dental Association.
"Not only has she been a major leader for advancing women in academic medicine, she has been an innovator by combining her academic leadership skills in this area to enhance women's health, something that women leaders in academic medicine have a personal vested interest in," explained C. Noel Bairey Merz, M.D., Medical Director of the Women's Health Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles.
She is Deputy Editor of the Journal of Women's Health, Co-Chair of the VCU School of Medicine's Committee on the Status of Women and Minorities, and Gubernatorial appointee to both the Virginia Council on the Status of Women and the Governor's Task Force on Cervical Cancer. "She also is a scholar who has a thoughtful approach to clinical research in women's health," added Dr. Nettleman.
Not without irony, she also is the founder of the Women in Medicine Professional Achievement Award, and was the founding president of the VCU Women in Medicine faculty organization, now known as WISDM. She also is co-founder and current vice president of the Association for Academic Women's Health Programs.
And, perhaps most outstandingly, she was the co-founder and former director of education for the VCU Institute for Women's Health, now a National Center for Excellence. She serves the Institute currently as Senior Deputy Director.
"A clear pattern has emerged: Dr. Klein creates, organizes, manages, integrates and leads strong and innovative local, regional and national programs to support women faculty, women practitioners, women house staff and women students in academic medicine and in the community," explained VCU School of Medicine Associate Dean for Faculty and Instructional Development Carol L. Hampton. "The impact is to influence and change both individual lives and the culture in our academic medical center."
"Wendy lifts the sprits of women who engage her because of her warmth and enthusiasm," added Catherine Matthews Nichols, M.D., a VCU obstetrician-gynecologist. "She is always kind, compassionate, encouraging and empathetic. She is my role model for how to be an advocate for women, and I do whatever I can to follower her example."
"When she undertakes something, she makes it the best," added Dr. Nettleman. "Project after project has blossomed under her leadership."
The WISDM Professional Achievement Award is not Dr. Klein's first honor. Far from it. She was named VCU Woman of the Year in 1996, for example. But, for someone who has invested virtually her entire professional career to advance the health of women and the careers of women in medicine, it may very well be the sweetest. Congratulations, Dr. Klein.
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