Dr. Dorothy M. Barbo

"Dr. Sandra Gray's vision for the future, strong academic background, business knowledge and interpersonal skills will allow her to lead this dynamic institution known for its academic quality," explained Dorothy Barbo, MD, Professor Emerita, University of New Mexico Health Services Center and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee.Asbury College is ranked third in the South by US News & World Report for comprehensive colleges, and the Education Department is ranked number one in Kentucky by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board.

"Dr. Sandra Gray's vision for the future, strong academic background, business knowledge and interpersonal skills will allow her to lead this dynamic institution known for its academic quality," explained Dorothy Barbo, MD, Professor Emerita, University of New Mexico Health Services Center and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee.Asbury College is ranked third in the South by US News & World Report for comprehensive colleges, and the Education Department is ranked number one in Kentucky by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board.

Dr. Dorothy Barbo, M.D., was on the faculty of Marquette University School of Medicine prior to joining the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries in 1968.She served in India through 1972 at the Ludhiana Christian Medical College of Punjab University.She has served as Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine since 1991.She has served on numerous national committees including the Maternal Health & Drug Advisory Committee of the FDA, from 1986-1992.She was an examiner and exam writer for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Since 1955 she has been a member of CMDS, where she has served on the Ethics Commission and as a Trustee.She was President of CMDS from 1997-1999.
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Dr. Dorothy BarboThe quality of care is diminished with the reduction in time per patient due to managed care contract times and pay-per-patient visit.
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Created by Dr. Dorothy Barbo when she was president, the medal is given to our International Night speaker and to that physician selected by the Society to receive the J. Robert Willson Award for special meritorious service to the Society.
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Indeed, four have become president Catherine McFarland, Mary Dewitt Pettit, Elsie Carrington and Dorothy Barbo.
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May 1989 to May 1990 - Dorothy Barbo

Up Close with Dorothy Barbo, MD -- Finding a Better Way

Up Close with Dorothy Barbo

The Cancer ConnectionThe Cancer Connection

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Dorothy Barbo, MD -- Finding a Better Way

When I started my work in women's health, so many of the cancers we took care of were advanced, and if you were really going to help people, you had to find it early.I kept saying that there had to be a better way..

Early in her career Dorothy Barbo, MD, worked in Punjab, India, teaching in a Christian medical college and providing health care to women.Each year she saw over 400 women with cancer -- mostly advanced cervical cancer that could not be cured.The need for widespread screening and early detection was obvious, but at that time and place there was no way to do it.
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Dorothy Barbo

Many years later when Dr. Barbo came to New Mexico, the time and place was right.She came to join the faculty of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and to work in the Center for Women's Health where she is now Director.It was 1991, and New Mexico had a high incidence of cervical and advanced breast cancers, especially among the state's low income and rural populations.The New Mexico Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection and Control Program (B&CC) was just getting started and had been established to do precisely the kinds of work Dr. Barbo knew had to be done.

She took on a significant leadership role in the B&CC as chair of the Professional Education Committee.She was particularly active in improving training for the state's medical students, residents and practitioners in the areas of screening and early detection.

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Dr. Barbo worked with the B&CC Program as it broadened its scope from focusing almost totally on screening for low-income women to including funds for surgical diagnostic procedures for those with abnormal screening results.That was an important change ; however, according to Barbo, there are still many women who do not have coverage for treatment when the diagnosis is cancer.If a family has a small farm and they have to sell it to pay for treatment, then they have nothing, says Dr. Barbo, adding, i have known patients that just walked away and said I can not do that to my family.' that be all over the world : that be not unique to New Mexico..

She also points out that this is another reason why it is so important to catch cancer early : It is less expensive to treat -- no matter who pays for it.Counties in New Mexico do have indigent care funds to help in these situations, but, according to Barbo, they run out every year.That is why the golf tournament (Anita Salas Memorial Fund) is so important -- it raises funds for treatment..

Her work with the B&CC has been rewarding.we have seen a shift over the past eight years to preinvasive cancers and early invasive cancers that have a much better prognosis..

Dr. Barbo believes there are a number of reasons for the success, citing strong leadership and cooperation between the Department of Health, the University of New Mexico, the Indian Health Service and other agencies.She credits the New Mexico Tumor Registry's role both in defining the need for the program and then measuring the results.When the program itself is well organized, you have good follow-up and you can track the results, then you really know what be happening with people..

Dr. Barbo began her career working with women who had advanced cancers and little hope for cure.For many years her focus has been on teaching health care providers to diagnose cancers earlier and on improving prevention and screening.that be where you win, she says.This has made Dr. Barbo a winner as she retires this year, leaving her prize of improved care as a gift to the women in New Mexico.

Dorothy Barbo, MD, will be retiring this year after 8 1/2 years at the University of New Mexico.She is Director of the University Center for Women's Health and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UNM School of Medicine.

Prior to that, she was at the Medical College of Pennsylvania for 20 years.There she was a professor and the Director of the Center for the Mature Woman's Health.She also taught at the Ludhiana Christian Medical College in Punjab, India, for five years.

Dr. Barbo is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Medical School and did her residency and a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

After retirement, she plans to return to teaching overseas in Asia, Africa and South America with the Christian Medical and Dental Society.She also hopes to spend more time with her family, work in her rose garden and write a book about one of her passions, collecting antique tea tins.

Back to THE CANCER CONNECTION Fall 1999 Index

It is not unusual to feel bad all over-tired, shaky, washed out-and to feel pain even when you are not urinating, says Dorothy M. Barbo, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the Center for Women's Health at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

If you suspect that you have a UTI, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.A prescription of antibiotics will help kill the infection, says Dr. Barbo.
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Even more fluid is needed if you are in a hot environment or exercise strenuously, says Dr. Barbo.
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Apart from clinical research, plenty of anecdotal evidence shows that cranberry juice helps, says Dr. Barbo."I know it works for my patients," she says.The juice increases the acidic quality of urine, which, in turn, reduces bacteria levels.

Dr. Barbo recommends drinking four ounces of diluted cranberry juice two or three times a day.If you have diabetes, be sure to select low-calorie cranberry juice, which Dr. Barbo says is safer for diabetics.Avoid irritants.
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Even though it might be painful to urinate when you have a UTI, don't resist the urge, says Dr. Barbo.In general, you should try to empty your bladder completely every three to four hours."It's a wise way to prevent bacterial infection and to hasten recovery if you already have one," she says.Urinating frequently helps to eliminate bacteria before they have a chance to multiply.

Have a seat after sex.Women should urinate after they have sexual intercourse, says Dr. Barbo.
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Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) reduces the risk of UTIs, says Dorothy M. Barbo, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the Center for Women's Health at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

The urethra is sensitive to estrogen, explains Dr. Barbo.Lack of estrogen can cause the tissues of the urethra to become dry, thinned out, and more prone to injury and infection, which puts women who are past menopause at increased risk for UTIs.Estrogen improves circulation in all of the tissues of the genital tract and makes them more resilient and less susceptible to infection.This UTI protection is an added benefit of estrogen replacement, she says.
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Keep infections at bay by cleaning the vaginal area with a front-to-back motion, says Dr. Barbo.Many women were taught to wipe from back to front after a bowel movement, which can spread bacteria from your anus to your urethral opening, she says.Proper wiping can prevent a significant number of UTIs, especially among women who get them recurrently.

Ditch douches and sprays.Give up feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches-both can irritate the urethra and vulva, says Dr. Barbo.

If you feel the need to douche, don't do so any more often than once a month."Frequent douching can introduce infectious bacteria into the vagina and rinse out the normal ‘friendly' noninfectious vaginal bacteria," says Dr. Barbo.