Lives of Consequence
Dr. Ethel Cermak Tompkins '34, Sc.D. '51, P'68
During a period when the medical field was dominated by men, Ethel Cermak Tompkins '34, Sc.D.'51, P'68 became a well-known authority on the hygiene and diseases of children, operating a private pediatric practice and teaching at Albany Medical College for nearly 30 years.
Born in Schenectady, N.Y., to native Czechoslovakian parents, Tompkins graduated from high school with honors at the age of 15. Entering William Smith, she became involved with the Christian Association, Echo and Pine, Glee Club, Little Theatre, Schola Cantorum and also served as a piano and vocal soloist. In 1934, she graduated with a bachelor's of science in biology and went on to earn her medical degree from Albany Medical College.
After completing her residency at Albany Hospital, Tompkins opened a private practice in pediatrics while also serving as attending pediatrician at Albany Hospital and instructor in pediatrics at Albany Medical College.
Tompkins went on to become the senior physician of Student Health Services at Albany Medical College, a position in which she served for 28 years. She was also clinical professor of pediatrics at the same institution for 18 years. Tompkins has written extensively on the hygiene and diseases of children in multiple publications, including Journal Pediatrics, Journal of the American Medical Women's Association and the New York State Journal of Medicine.
In 1959, she received a William Smith Alumnae Citation, which recognized her expertise in the field of pediatrics and commended her for continuing the tradition set forth by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell 1849. In 1965, she was appointed to the HWS Board of Trustees and held the position until 1984, when she became an honorary trustee. In 1972, she received the Elizabeth Herendeen Odell Award, honoring her multiple years of service to the Colleges and recognizing her for the integrity with which she has inspired other William Smith women.
Dr. Tompkins died in 2015.