I am dedicating my first blog entry to my friend and mentor in women’s health (for 27 years), Carol Robins Dalton. Carol was a nurse practitioner in Boulder, who was a pioneer in alternative health care for women. She died of esophageal cancer 2 months ago. Carol was a wonderful friend and big sister, as well as a generous and loyal teacher
Carol came to a party I had to celebrate 25 years of practicing acupuncture.
who truly inspired me to join her in the lifelong journey of bringing together excellent care, “natural” approaches, and her vision of women caring for women.
The unique and specialness of this world of women’s health care was really brought home to me at her memorial service. Many women were there and got up to speak about her, including other nurse practitioners, patients and colleagues. There was much humor in the process, along with tears. Many spoke about procedures common to women’s health, with sometimes graphic and humorous descriptions. Linda Monsey, another nurse practitioner, spoke about her experience over 30 years ago of Carol teaching her at Planned Parenthood, and her appreciation for Carol’s generosity, openness and creativity. She fondly remembered a product that Carol created called “vaginal tea”, which was an herbal mixture made into a tea and applied topically. These types of products are available now, but she was definitely ahead of her time.
Carol was a powerhouse, a very hard worker, who started four businesses in her long career. She worked at Planned Parenthood, Wardenberg Student Health Center, Wellspring Partners in Health (co-owner), Wellspring for Women (co-owner), and Helios Health Center. She was a dynamic and loving practitioner who will be missed by so many. She has given so much to me over the years. It is my special privilege to pass that on to my patients and others practitioners in this field.
