Dr. Sandra F. Olson, MD

Doctor of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...

is a national leader for women in organized medicine. Olson earned her MD from Northwestern University Medical School

Feinberg School of Medicine

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, located in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois and situated near Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile, is one of Northwestern University's 11 schools and colleges...

 in 1963, when only 5 percent of medical students were women. She continued on to do her residency

Residency (medicine)

Residency is a stage of graduate medical training. A resident physician or resident is a person who has received a medical degree , Podiatric degree , Dental Degree and who practices...

 at Northwestern's McGaw Medical Center

McGaw Medical Center

The McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University is a consortium of urban, suburban, specialized, and general hospitals and Northwestern University...

 through 1969. In 2003, Dr. Olson became the first woman president of the American Academy of Neurology

American Academy of Neurology

The American Academy of Neurology is a professional society for neurologists and neuroscientists. As a medical specialty society it was established in 1949 by A.B. Baker of the University of Minnesota to advance the art and science of neurology, and thereby promote the best possible care for...

. She was also the first woman to be president of the Illinois State Medical Society, the Chicago Medical Society, and the Chicago Neurological Society.