UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON ARCHIVES
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

Interview #680
BUCHLER, DOLORES A.

BUCHLER, Dolores A. (1935- )
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Human Oncology
At UW: 1969-1995

Interviewed: 2004	
Interviewer: Ann Peckham
Length: 2 hours, 1 minute

Childhood; Parents' careers; Undergraduate study at MacMurray College; Medical College of Pennsylvania; American Cancer Society fellowship; University of Kansas Medical Center; Residency at the University of Oklahoma; Decision to practice at the University of Wisconsin; Board examinations; Radiation oncology division; High-dose intracavitary radiation; Department of obstetrics and gynecology; Department chairs; Society of Gynecological Oncology; National Cancer Institute review committee service.

Interview Session (August 17, 2004): Tapes 1-2

Tape 1/Side 1

00:00:33	Dolores Buchler relates her early years in Casper, Wyoming.  She talks about her father's career with the Standard Oil Company.  Her mother had a master's degree in music.

00:02:45	DB explains that she wished to leave Wyoming in order to attend medical school.  She describes her undergraduate career and extracurricular activities at MacMurray College.  During the summers she attended Colorado College and, later, Northwestern.

00:06:28	Her mentor in the chemistry department at MacMurray urged her to apply to the Medical College of Pennsylvania.

00:08:00	DB elaborates on her medical school experience and her rotations in Philadelphia General Hospital.

00:12:18	After medical school, DB went to the University of Kansas, where she was the second female intern in obstetrics and gynecology.  She goes on to talk about the chair of obstetrics at Kansas; he urged her to receive training in general surgery, which she took at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center.  She discusses her experience at Oklahoma.

00:17:15	She talks about the development of radiation oncology at the University of Kansas and her decision to do residency in that field.  She received a fellowship from the American Cancer Society to be trained in radical pelvic surgery.

00:18:24	DB relates how she decided to practice at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  She goes on to talk at length about taking boards in gynecology and radiation oncology.  She mentions that her thesis had been on dosimetry.

00:30:27	End of side.

Tape 1/Side 2

00:31:28	Dolores Buchler discusses accepting a job at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her work in developing a radiation oncology division.  She had a dual appointment in obstetrics/gynecology and in the department of radiology, although she took her salary only from the ob/gyn department.  She talks about negotiating finances and treatment protocols while trying to develop the radiation oncology division.  

00:38:33	DB describes the operation, personnel, and funding of the radiation oncology division.  She specifically describes Glenn Pride.  Most hires left after several years to earn more money in private practice.

00:44:51	She talks about turning over the division to Julian Schink.

00:46:51	DB describes in detail her surgical responsibilities in the radiation oncology division.  She also talks at length about a popular high-dose intracavitary radiation procedure and relates a story about CNN's attempt to film the procedure.

00:57:11	She discusses the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Wisconsin and describes the chair when she first came to Madison.  DB mentions her work in obstetrics after it was moved to Meriter Hospital and her reasons for quitting obstetrics.

01:02:52	End of side.  End of tape.

Tape 2/Side 1

01:02:57	Dolores Buchler continues to talk about quitting her work in obstetrics.

01:05:04	She talks about the gynecology department staff and their work habits.  She also relates a story about disciplining a staff member.

01:09:25	DB describes the administrative structure of the department, which was based on numerous divisions.

01:10:40	DB speaks at length about the personnel and politics of the department of gynecology.  She lists some of the more notable members and chairs of the department; she describes at length Ben Peckham, Ted Quilligan, C.B. Martin, and their administrative styles as department chair.  DB also talks about repelling several attempts to make her chair.  She relates a lengthy story about the promotion of a perinatologist.

01:19:57	She continues to relate a story about the promotion of a perinatologist to tenure.

01:32:30	She talks about the current administrative structure of the department.

01:34:12	End of side.

Tape 2/Side 2

01:34:29	Dolores Buchler discusses medical societies, which she considers to be "self-admiration groups."  She talks about her membership of the Society of Gynecological Oncologists and her review of treatment protocols.

01:39:17	She talks at length about her service on the National Cancer Institute review committee.

01:48:58	DB describes applying for a cancer education grant.

01:50:56	She mentions receiving an alumni award from MacMurray College.  

01:51:45	DB talks about WIPRO, a procedure review committee.

01:53:19	She describes the transition to outpatient surgery in the department and the development of mammography screening in conjunction with the cancer clinic.

01:56:00	DB talks about her retirement activities, current volunteer work, and travel.

02:00:15	She reflects on her career at the University of Wisconsin.

02:01:33	End of side.  End of tape.  End of interview.

END