Lois Pounds
Lois Pounds received a BSN in 1955, a Master of Letters in 1960, and an MD in 1965, all from the University of Pittsburgh. After serving as a staff nurse and nursing instructor at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, she came to Duke in 1969 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. She directed the Outpatient Services of the Department and also taught nursing courses at the Duke School of Nursing from 1971-1974. At the time, Dr. Pounds was only one of several women in the Department of Pediatrics, as well a one of a small percentage in the Medical Center. She has served Duke in numerous capacities, often as the lone female on various Medical Center committees.
In 1974, Dr. Pounds returned to the University of Pittsburgh as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Director of the Ambulatory Care Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In 1979, she became the Associate Dean for Admissions, and beginning in 1984, she served as Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
She returned to Duke in 1987 as an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Dean for Medical Education, and the Director of Medical School Admissions. As such, she was an advocate of women’s admissions into medical school. Dr. Pounds retired in 2016 but continues her involvement in the Duke community as a volunteer and as a member of the Board of Directors at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, a docent at the Duke University Chapel, and in other capacities.
Interview
This oral history interview was conducted with Dr. Lois Pounds on July 3, 2007 by Jessica Roseberry.