Among the prominent women physicians of the state of California is Dr. Susan J. Fenton, of Oakland, who for many years has practiced in this city with ever increasing success, being accorded an extensive practice. She has also always taken a deep interest in the public welfare and in charitable work and has done much toward promoting the health of children and the sanitary conditions under which they live, being fully cognizant of the importance of giving to the coming generation the best possible chance in life. She is deeply interested in civic improvement of any kind and in that line is connected with a number of effective organizations which make it their aim to improve the government and remedy antiquated measures or bring to a realization new proposals, the wisdom of which cannot be so quickly discerned by the general public as it is recognized by those who make a particular study of the needs of the people.
Dr. Fenton is a native of Pennsylvania and came to California in 1874, graduating in medicine from Hahnemann Hospital College of San Francisco in 1889. She had, however, previously been in Oakland, having served for one year on the staff of Fabiola Hospital, returning to the same institution after her graduation and remaining for five years, at the end of that time opening an office on Fourteenth street, Oakland, where she remained for two years. Recognizing the advantages of studying European methods, she then went, in 1896, to Berlin, Germany, there pursuing her studies under the most famous surgeons of the capital. Ever since she has returned she has given herself to her extensive practice. Sympathetic of nature, she inspires in her patients that confidence which means half a cure and to many families has become more than the mere physician, being considered the truest and most unselfish family friend. Dr. Fenton is still a member of the staff of Fabiola Hospital of Oakland. She is a surgeon of fine ability and is probably the only woman in the county proficient in the many branches of the science of surgery. She specializes in gynecology and has operated extensively and most successfully along that line.
Along professional lines the Doctor is a member of the California State and Alameda County Medical Societies, taking a prominent part in their meetings and keeping in touch with the latest discoveries in the world of medical science through meeting her fellow workers. She is also a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy. She has taken a most helpful part in civic affairs during her long residence here and is a director in the Associated Charities of Oakland. She is also a member of the public welfare committee and president of the Children's Welfare Club. She has always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the well-being of the children and takes her memberships and offices most seriously, advocating measures which she deems beneficial and formulating new plans in order to attain her ends. As a member of the Public Service Club she is interested in and active in good government. The city of Oakland has in an immeasurable degree profited by her labor, and Dr. Fenton has therefore well earned the esteem and appreciation which is accorded her. Essentially a practical woman, she is a physician of more than average ability, natural talent and wide experience and is also a public-spirited citizen, ever enlisting her powers and abilities in support of movement that make for the betterment of conditions.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Pages 252-255
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 6/08/2008
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