Women in Medicine Month: Holly L. Thacker, M.D.

Posted on September 11, 2013

Holly L. Thacker, MD
Professor and Chair, Center for Specialized Women’s Health
Executive Director, Speaking of Women’s Health
Cleveland Clinic Staff Member since 1990
Describe yourself in three words
Innovative. Fearless. Persistent.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A physician.

What accomplishment do you consider to be the most significant of your career to date?
I founded Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Specialized Women’s Health in 2002 long before the institute model and started Shared Medical Appointments prior to clinic initiative.

Who is your favorite hero/heroine of world history and why?
Baroness Margaret Thatcher. I was a young girl when Margaret Thatcher rose to power, her conviction & politics combined with her economic and social policies and her iconic “Iron Lady” style were very inspiring. One of my favorite quotes from Baroness Thatcher (and there are many) is: “What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing you’re doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose.”

What is your motto?
Be Strong. Be Healthy. Be in Charge. (Our “Speaking of Women’s Health” tag line).

For more information about Speaking of Women’s Health, see speakingofwomenshealth.com and follow on Twitter @SPKwomenshealth.

The Women’s Professional Staff Association (WPSA) is a career development and retention resource for the female physicians, scientists and researchers working at Cleveland Clinic. Learn more about the WPSA by following WPSA on twitter @WPSA1 or email wpsa@ccf.org. The September 2013 Women in Medicine Month WPSA Co‐Presidents: Cynthia Kubu, PhD & Margaret McKenzie, MD.