Cheryl Burian-Baldwin '66 graduated from Sidney High and immediately went to Oberlin College of Ohio and University of California Berkeley and then attended San Diego School of Medicine earning her Medical Degree in 1973, at a time when the ratio of men to women in medical schools was 9 to l. She received her degree in Medicine in 1973 and began a unique career in which it was clear that "a woman can make a difference."

She interned and completed her residency (1973-76) in the Los Angeles Children's Hospital, winning the Frances Nunnally Winzer Resident Award given each year to the top resident. Immediately thereafter she spent one year in the Navaho Nation Health Foundation on the Navaho Reservation in Ganado, Arizona.

The die was cast. She would dedicate her career to children's health issues. She joined the Southern California Permanente Medical Group in San Diego in 1978 and still is a physician in that Group. She served on the staff of the Neonatal Nursery and Newborn Intensive Care Unit and on the Pediatric Steering Committee of the Clinic. She is a certified Instructor in Advanced Pediatric Life Support and served the clinic as Module Chief, overseeing day-to-day operations.

In 1988 she was runner-up for the Elizabeth Schilling Award, given to the physician receiving the largest number and most inspiring nominations from patients.

Cheryl Burian-Baldwin is a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and during her career has been a Girl Scout leader, a PTA board member, a volunteer for "Educate!" - a San Diego public school foundation, and a founding member of Women's Medical Group which supports "Voices for Children" - children in foster care. She also volunteers for Camp Reach for the Sky - a day camp for children ages 4-12 with cancer.

Dr. Burian-Baldwin attended medical school at a time when popular career choices for women were nursing, teaching, and business. She was a pioneer for women striving for careers traditionally thought to be for men and a leader in causes for children's health.