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Start Over Main contributor Tompkins, Dorothy G. Collection UVA Health Oral Histories Unit Claude Moore Health Sciences Library

1. Oral History Interview with Dorothy G. Tompkins (1:02:00)

Date:
2021-11-19
Main contributors:
Tompkins, Dorothy G.
Summary:
An oral history interview with Dr. Dorothy G. Tompkins, conducted at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library on November 19, 2021. This interview is part of the Medical Alumni Stories Oral History Project, a joint effort of the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library and the UVA Medical Alumni Association and Medical School Foundation. Dorothy Ellen Guild Tompkins was born in 1941 and grew up in Louisa County, VA. She majored in biology at the College of William and Mary (graduating in 1962) before matriculating at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She graduated from medical school in 1966, one of three women in her class. In 1972, Tompkins returned to UVA as a Fellow in Pediatric Cardiology. She went on to be appointed Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in 1973 and Associate Professor of Pediatrics in 1979. Later she worked in the area of addiction treatment, and from 2003-2006 Tompkins served as a pediatrician in the UVA Department of Psychiatric Medicine. A passionate and dedicated teacher, Tompkins received the Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching and was elected to the School of Medicine's Academy of Distinguished Educators during her time at UVA. In recent years, Tompkins has been active in local non-profit work, including master gardener, naturalist, and tree steward programs, and extensive work with women recovering from substance abuse and trauma. She helped found an organization called Georgia's Friends, which operates Georgia's Healing House, a supportive residential home for women in recovery. Tompkins is married to Dr. William Fraser Tompkins III (also a member of the UVA SOM Class of 1966). They live in Central Virginia.