Vivian Pinn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vivian Pinn
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Pinn in 2010
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Vivian Winona Pinn
1941 (age 83–84) |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia School of Medicine Wellesley College |
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Vivian Winona Pinn (born 1941) is an American doctor and scientist. She is a pathologist, which means she studies diseases. Dr. Pinn is famous for helping improve women's health. She worked hard to make sure that medical studies funded by the government included women patients. She also encouraged many women to become doctors and scientists.
Dr. Pinn was the first director of the Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This is a very important job in medical research. Before that, she taught at universities like Harvard University and Tufts University. Even after retiring from NIH in 2011, she continues to work as a senior scientist.
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Early Life and Education
Vivian Winona Pinn was born in 1941 on a farm in Halifax, Virginia. She went to schools that were separated by race in Lynchburg, Virginia. From a young age, about 4 years old, Vivian wanted to be a doctor. She helped her grandparents with their health needs, even giving some insulin shots. She saw how much better they felt after seeing a doctor.
Vivian's family were teachers, and they always told her to study hard. She graduated from high school as the best student in her class. She chose to go to Wellesley College for her higher education.
Vivian won a scholarship to Wellesley College. She earned a degree in zoology in 1962. During her second year, she took time off to care for her mother. Her mother was very sick with a bone tumor. This illness made Vivian even more determined to become a doctor. She decided she would always listen carefully to her patients.
In 1967, Dr. Pinn earned her medical degree. She studied at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She was the only woman and the only African-American student in her class. She first thought about becoming a children's doctor. But a summer job at Massachusetts General Hospital changed her mind. She worked on transplant surgery and how the body's immune system works. This experience made her want to do research and teach medicine. It led her to study kidney and transplant diseases. She finished her training in pathology at Mass General. She also taught at Harvard Medical School.
Career in Pathology
In 1970, Dr. Pinn joined the pathology department at Tufts University School of Medicine. She was an assistant professor and helped students. She worked there for 12 years. Tufts University has given her many awards since then.
In 1982, Dr. Pinn moved to Howard University Hospital. She became a professor and led the pathology department. When she took this job, she was the third woman to lead a U.S. pathology department. She was also the first African-American woman to do so.
In 1989, Dr. Pinn became the president of the National Medical Association (NMA). The NMA is the oldest and largest group for African-American doctors in the United States. It was started in 1895. The NMA speaks for over 30,000 African-American doctors and their patients.
Advocating for Women's Health at NIH
In 1991, Dr. Pinn became the first director of the new Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH). This office is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The ORWH was created to improve how NIH studies, prevents, and treats illnesses in women. It also helps make sure that women are included in all important medical studies.
For 20 years, Dr. Pinn used her role to raise awareness about women's health. She worked with schools, politicians, and different cultures around the world. She became known for making sure that government-funded medical studies included women. She also encouraged more women to pursue careers in science and medicine.
In 1998, Dr. Pinn met with Sarah, Duchess of York, at NIH. She shared information about important women's health topics. These included studies on women's health, obesity, breast cancer, and bone weakening (osteoporosis).
In 2010, Dr. Pinn gave a speech in Philadelphia. She talked about health problems for women and children in cities. More and more people are moving to cities worldwide. She explained that local governments sometimes struggle to provide enough housing, clean water, and electricity. This can lead to ongoing health issues.
In 2011, Dr. Pinn met with actress Geena Davis. They talked about how girls and women are shown in children's movies, TV shows, and video games. They discussed ways to show genders more equally. They believed this could help improve everyone's overall health.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Pinn has received many awards for her important work. In 1990, she received a Candace Award. This award is from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
In 2000, she won the Margaret E. Mahoney Award. This award recognized her work to make healthcare better for women. The award honors people who help improve health policy and understanding of health issues.
In 2005, Dr. Pinn gave the main speech at the University of Virginia's graduation. She was the first African-American woman to do this. She talked about the challenges she faced as a medical student in the 1960s. She told the graduates to focus on the good things in life. She encouraged them to overcome difficulties and become great participants in life.
In 2011, Tufts University School of Medicine honored Dr. Pinn. They named their Office of Student Affairs after her. They also started a scholarship fund in her name. She also received the Dean's Medal of Honor, which is Tufts' highest award. This award is given to people who have greatly helped the school and medicine. Dr. Pinn was a mentor to many students. She also helped recruit students of color and increased financial aid.
In 2013, Dr. Pinn received the Foremother Award. This award is from the National Center for Health Research. It recognized her amazing contributions to the lives of women in the United States. In 2021, she became a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Retirement Years
Since retiring from ORWH in 2011, Dr. Pinn has continued to speak out. She supports scientific research in general. She especially advocates for including women, women scientists, and minority groups in all medical research. She continues to work as a senior scientist at the Fogarty International Center.
Senator Olympia Snowe honored Dr. Pinn by reading a statement into the Congressional Record. This statement recognized Dr. Pinn's public service and her dedication to women's health. It also highlighted her leadership in research and teaching.
Images for kids
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In 1998, Dr. Pinn talked with Sarah, Duchess of York, about women's health research.
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In November 2010, Dr. Pinn celebrated the 20th anniversary of the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health.
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Dr. Pinn with actress Geena Davis in 2011. They discussed how girls and women are shown in movies and TV.
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U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe (right) with Dr. Pinn. Senator Snowe was honored for her support of the ORWH.
See also
In Spanish: Vivian Pinn para niños
