ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Julie A. Abbott League ’76-A

Julie A. Abbott League ’76-A

Internal Medicine & Preventive Medicine

Lake City, Minnesota

Published in the fall/winter 2023 ALUMNI JOURNAL

FOR WHAT ARE YOU FAMOUS AMONG FRIENDS AND FAMILY?

I’m not sure “famous” is accurate, but I think planning a party or organizing a good time get-together is something people recognize. I guess that came early as I was the “social director” for the class of ’76-A and organized outings like whale-watching trips to San Diego.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY FROM MEDICAL SCHOOL?

Graduation! I have so many pictures of that happy day with many wonderful classmates. I can still look back at them and be reminded of the good times spent with each one.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE IN YOUR MEDICAL CAREER?

I know it is a cliché, but it was the relationships built with patients over decades. I practiced at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, and we had an annual comprehensive examination program and people would return year after year. I had an hour to review their year and their health. It was wonderful to get to know them well and earn their trust. It was needed when we had to face some challenging problems as the years went by.

IF YOU WERE TO HAVE WORKED IN A FIELD OUTSIDE OF MEDICINE, WHAT WOULD IT HAVE BEEN? WHY?

That’s a good question. I was highly influenced to pursue medicine by my father, Kenneth H. Abbott ’36; brother, Kenneth H. Abbott II ’63; grandfather, Frank F. Abbott, MD; great aunt and uncle, Cora Richards Abbott 1903–AMMC and George K. Abbott 1903–AMMC (see page 33); and several other relatives in the medical field. I considered teaching, however, when I did student teaching of ninth-grade remedial English, I stunk at it. I considered library science at one point; I think I would have enjoyed that.

IF YOU COULD LEARN TO DO SOMETHING NEW OR BETTER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Maybe photography. We have traveled some and while my iPhone does a pretty good job, I believe I have a little bit of an eye for composition and wish I had developed that skill further.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?

“Don’t sweat the small stuff ….. it’s all small stuff.”

HOW HAVE THINGS CHANGED OR IMPROVED FOR WOMEN IN MEDICINE DURING YOUR CAREER?

Strength in numbers. Fifty years ago women were, maybe, 5–10% of the physician workforce. Now it’s more than 50%, I believe. With greater representation more opportunities arise. I have been retired for 10 years, but I hope, and believe, that today’s career in medicine is quite similar for women and men. Women’s careers in any profession will, however, always be influenced by greater child-rearing responsibilities, a challenge with great reward.