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Department of Sociomedical Sciences Honors the Legacy of Dr. Barbara Dohrenwend
Barbara Snell Dohrenwend, PhD, led the Division of Sociomedical Sciences (SMS) from 1978 to 1982. Her tenure tragically ended when she died from cancer. But, her important work studying the nature and effects of social stress continues.
On January 30, a panel made up of alumni and former colleagues reflected on the impact that Dr. Dohrenwend had on the field and the Division as part of a series entitled, “40 Years of Confronting Inequalities.” The panel speakers included: Amy Fairchild, PhD, MPH, associate professor of Sociomedical Sciences; Victoria Raveis, PhD, associate professor of clinical Sociomedical Sciences; Bruce P. Dohrenwend, PhD, professor of Epidemiology and Social Science (Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons); Patrick Shrout, PhD, professor of Psychology, New York University; Allan Rosenfield, dean and DeLamar Professor; and Bruce Link, PhD, professor of Epidemiology (in Psychiatry) and Sociomedical Sciences.
Dr. Raveis began the discussion by highlighting Dr. Dohrenwend's legacy in the field, stating that she "defied boundaries. She was a pioneer who bridged the gulf between the fields of epidemiology and psychology with her research in the fields of psychosocial stress and psychiatric epidemiology."
As part of her remarks, Dr. Raveis also read messages from alumni who studied under Dr. Dohrenwend. Wrote one alumnus, Margaret Grey, DrPH '85, RN, FAAN, dean and Annie Goodrich Professor, Yale School of Nursing, "Barbara had a profound influence on me and my career. She was a kind, gentle soul who had a brilliant mind and pushed us to be more than we ever thought we could be."
Dr. Dohrenwend's husband, Dr. Bruce Dohrenwend, with whom she collaborated professionally, noted her extraordinary ability to break through convention. He explained that as a student at Wellesley, Dr. Dohrenwend was able to develop unfettered. That experience helped her to encourage female students to succeed, and fed into Dr. Dohrenwend's gift for treating individuals fairly without giving undo deference to anyone.
At the time of her death, Dr. Dohrenwend's work was growing, gaining funding, and changing the landscape of the field. She was highly respected for her commitment to the study of the various ways in which stress and other factors may produce psychiatric disorders. Dr. Bruce Dohrenwend led efforts that have continued her work, including a study to determine whether schizophrenia and severe depression were developed through different models. Said Dr. Bruce Dohrenwend, "She had come into her own and was about to take off as head of SMS."
Dr. Shrout shared that some psychologists secretly suspected Dr. Dohrenwend of being a closet sociologist. By bringing concepts of social context into the realm of psychology, Dr. Dohrenwend's work was revolutionary. His remarks helped the audience understand the long-lasting impact of Dr. Dohrenwend's work on the field of psychology.
Following Dr. Shrout's remarks, Dr. Rosenfield shared his memories about working with Dr. Dohrenwend when they were both division heads. Said Dr. Rosenfield, "Barbara was a remarkable asset to the School of Public Health. We all miss her very much."
Dr. Link concluded the panel's discussion with an overview of Dr. Dohrenwend's influence on his work, and how he still relies on aspects of the research techniques that she and her husband developed. Said Dr. Link, "As a researcher, Dr. Dohrenwend's legacy was in her ability to break boundaries, and conduct solid research with rigor, high standards, and integrity."
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