Biography: Dr. Victoria M. Stevens
I decided in high school, sophomore year, that I wanted to be a psychologist - a schoolteacher said, "Psychiatrists make more money," therefore I wanted my M.D. Later I wanted to do family practice, but discovered surgery to be the only field that was satisfying, and orthopedics more than other surgical fields.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Victoria M. Stevens practiced in Globe, Arizona, in the same town where she was born. As a woman physician and a member of the San Carlos Apache tribe, she served as a role model for young women interested in following in her footsteps. To help raise awareness of the success of women physicians from all sorts of backgrounds, she was among several women surgeons featured in the 2002 National Institutes of Health video Women are Scientists.
When she was a sophomore in high school in Globe, Arizona in the late 1960s, Victoria Stevens, told one of her teachers that she was planning to pursue a career in psychology. His response was simply: "Psychiatrists make more money." As a result, Stevens set her sights on medical school, where she discovered that a career in surgery, instead, would be more personally rewarding, and the specialty of orthopedics the most fulfilling.
Dr. Stevens pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona from 1969 to 1970, at Wellesley College in Massachusetts from 1970 to 1971, and returned to the University of Arizona to earn her bachelor of science degree, with distinction, in microbiology. She also received the university's Robie Medal as the Outstanding Senior Woman. In 1973 she entered the University of Arizona College of Medicine as a Mead Johnson Scholar. After earning her doctor of medicine degree in 1976, Dr. Stevens did her internship and residency in general surgery at Maricopa County General Hospital in Phoenix. She completed her orthopedic surgery residency at the Phoenix Orthopedic Residency Program in 1983, and was board certified in orthopedic surgery in 1987. Specializing in hand and foot surgery, since 1984 Dr. Stevens has pursued a private practice with Jody Daggett, M.D., at the Eastern Arizona Orthopedic Clinic. She has hospital affiliations at Gila County General Hospital and the San Carlos Indian Health Service Hospital. Dr. Stevens also served on the board of directors for the Cobre Valley Community Hospital from 1992 to 1997, and was named the hospital's chief of staff in 1999.
An active member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Stevens is married and has two teenage sons. She is a member of the Holy Angels School Board, where she once attended elementary school, and she and her family enjoy snow and water skiing, snowboarding, and "off-road" motorcycling.
What was my biggest obstacle?
My own laziness. Nowadays, it's disillusionment with the medical establishment.
How do I make a difference?
Treat patients, treat patients, treat patients and try to be a good mom and wife.
Who was my mentor?
Whoever was the leader or boss of a project at various stages.
How has my career evolved over time?
I'm tired a lot more these days.
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Victoria M. Stevens, M.D.
Courtesy Victoria M. Stevens, M.D.