Dr. Suzanne Frye realized she wanted to go into a surgical subspecialty during medical school in Philadelphia in the 1970s, but she was also interested in women’s health care. So, she decided that urology was a great way to combine her two medical interests – even though there were few women urologists at that time.
During her sub-internship in urology (a form of clinical training for medical students), Dr. Frye had the great fortune of meeting Dr. E. Darracott Vaughan, who went on to become the esteemed first chair of Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Urology. She admired Dr. Vaughan’s expertise and strong advocacy of women urologists.
Dr. Frye eventually joined the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Urology, retiring in 2015. To honor the department, she has pledged a generous bequest to endow the Suzanne Frye, M.D., M.P.H. Professorship in Female Urology. The department is currently led by Dr. Larissa Rodriguez, the first woman to chair the Department of Urology, the James J. Colt Professor of Urology and professor of urology in obstetrics and gynecology.
“I always vowed that when I had sufficient resources, I would make a gift to the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Urology, which does so much important work and was so welcoming to me over my 25 years as a member,” says Dr. Frye. “Dr. Rodriguez carries on Dr. Vaughan’s commitment to advancing female urologic health and encouraging women urologists.”
As a physician, Dr. Frye specialized in treating bladder hypersensitivity and other female urological conditions. She says she hopes the first recipient of her gift will be a woman medical leader, like Dr. Rodriguez, with similar interests in urogynecology and pelvic reconstruction.
She was impressed with the leadership and reputation of Dr. Rodriguez, who joined Weill Cornell Medicine from the University of Southern California in 2022. Among her accomplishments, Dr. Rodriguez has been a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded investigator for the past 20 years. Her expertise lies in the surgical reconstruction of pelvic floor conditions, and she is the principal investigator of NIH-sponsored grants exploring the underlying causes of bladder pain syndrome and how best to treat it, and on the effects of stress on the development of lower urinary tract symptoms.
“I’m thrilled we now have a woman as chair of the department, especially someone of Dr. Rodriguez’ caliber,” says Dr. Frye. “She is a marvelous physician-scientist and a role model for women urologists.”
For her part, Dr. Rodriguez is gratified that a former Weill Cornell Medicine urologist is eager to support the department and see it reach even higher levels of excellence.
“Dr. Frye’s generosity will impact urological care on many levels,” says Dr. Rodriguez. “Her gift will enable us to expand our superb clinical staff, innovate new therapies and heighten care for our patients in the coming years. I am truly honored that Dr. Frye has chosen to support our efforts, ensuring that Weill Cornell Medicine will continue to forge a path in women’s urological health for generations to come.”
Donors like Dr. Frye can directly – and decisively – support Weill Cornell Medicine’s efforts to accelerate new therapies and treatments. The Center for Female Pelvic Health at Weill Cornell Medicine, for example, is home to advanced clinical care and research in urology, urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery.
“It’s vital that we raise awareness of these urological conditions and how they affect women’s confidence, quality of life and intimate relationships,” says Dr. Rodriguez, who serves as director of the Center. “With the help of Dr. Frye and other generous donors, we are able to empower women and remind them that they are not alone.”
