Lectureship honors enduring impact of pioneering female surgeon

When Erika M. Blanton, H’71, F’73, arrived in the United States in 1966 she had no way to predict that her personal story would come to reflect a transformative half-century for women in medicine.

Blanton left her home country of Germany eager to pursue a specialty in women’s health, only to encounter an American culture still steeped in gender barriers, especially in the field of medicine. She persisted in her quest and, in part due to voids in obstetrics staffing, made history as one of the first females in the VCU Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program.

In this pivotal phase of Blanton’s journey, then OB-GYN Chair Leo Dunn, M.D., became her teacher, mentor and champion. Following her residency, Dunn created a fellowship in endocrinology and infertility specifically tailored for Blanton, a crucial intervention given the prejudice Blanton faced in securing a position in private practice, almost leading to her return to Germany. 

“Dr. Dunn was the reason I was able to keep pursuing medicine in the U.S.,” Blanton says. “His advocacy and mentorship were extremely important to me. He not only provided a pathway for my career, but he believed in me and invested his time in me.”

A ripple effect 

Mentorship is critical in medicine, Blanton says, especially for women. “I was fortunate to have had such an extraordinary example of that and I’ve tried to pay it forward ever since.”

Blanton went on to successfully launch her near 50-year career in OB-GYN private practice in 1973, shattering gender barriers by becoming one of the first female surgeons to train and practice in Richmond. She earned a strong reputation as she pioneered leading-edge, woman-driven prenatal care. 

“The 1970s were a turning point in women’s health,” she says. “For the first time women were empowered and able to use their voices to drive their own care, particularly when it came to obstetrics and gynecology.”  

Blanton felt strongly about eliminating the use of “twilight sleep,” the practice of heavily sedating women during childbirth, and using Lamaze, which helped force hospital policy changes to allow men in the delivery room. She introduced prenatal, childbirth and breastfeeding classes to her patients, empowering women to play an active role in the care of their bodies and their health.

Blanton’s commitment to innovation in women’s health care extended to her surgical practice. She was among the first surgeons in Richmond trained in laparoscopy and embraced the introduction of robotics.

Blanton attributes her ability to overcome barriers to her early experiences as a resident. "I had to get comfortable facing down obstacles early, and that made me less afraid to fight for what I knew to be a better way to provide women’s health care."

Celebrating female pioneering surgeons

Today Blanton sees those same values that helped set her course – inclusion, collaboration, innovation – enduring at VCU. “I see women surgeons supporting, encouraging and mentoring the next generation over and over. That relationship is so important, and I truly believe the future of medicine is better for it.”

Kandace McGuire, M.D., chief of breast surgery and senior medical director for Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, says the determination of women like Blanton made her own career possible. In that spirit, she worked with VCU Department of Surgery Chair Vigneshwar Kasirajan, M.D., to establish the Dr. Erika Blanton Lectureship Honoring Women Surgeons, providing a platform for students, residents and faculty to engage with and learn from female pioneers. 

“Dr. Blanton’s story is a strong reflection of the values and aspirations of VCU,” McGuire says. “Her vision, passion and courage are all qualities we seek to instill and foster in every future surgeon. Today’s trainees have the opportunity to build upon Dr. Blanton’s accomplishments and strive for equity and leadership in surgery.”

The inaugural Blanton lecture, held Feb. 1, featured Gina Adrales, M.D., M.P.H., a Johns Hopkins surgeon who presented data related to women in the surgical field. The progress highlighted in these numbers left Blanton astounded. "It’s mind-boggling how things have changed in a matter of decades. I’m so encouraged to see women pursuing surgical ambitions, and I’m so proud of all the accomplishments made by women in the field."  

Blanton finds deep satisfaction in the recognition of her legacy through the lectureship. “Women need information and community with other women if they are pursuing a surgical career,” she says. “Acceptance in a community fuels the knowledge that they can indeed achieve their dreams.”

To support the Erika Blanton Lectureship Honoring Woman Surgeons, make a gift online or contact Andrew Hartley, director of development, at aphartle@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0387.