 Dr. Ruth Westheimer is a psychosexual therapist who helped
pioneer the field of media psychology with her radio program, Sexually Speaking.
It began in September 1980 as a fifteen-minute, taped show that aired Sundays
after midnight on WYNY-FM (NBC) in New York . One year later it became a live,
one-hour show airing at 10 P.M. on which Dr. Ruth, as she became known, answered
call-in questions from listeners.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer worked for Planned Parenthood for a time,
prompting her to further her education of human sexuality by studying under Dr.
Helen Singer Kaplan at New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center. She
later participated in the program for five years as an adjunct associate
professor. Dr. Ruth Westheimer has also taught at Lehman College , Brooklyn
College , Adelphi University , Columbia University and West Point .
Dr. Ruth Westheimer is currently an adjunct associate
professor at New York University . A fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine,
she has her own private practice, and leads regular seminars for residents and
interns in pediatrics on adolescent sexuality at Brookdale Hospital, which is
affiliated with Downstate Medical Center. Dr. Ruth Westheimer lectures
frequently at universities across the country and has been twice named "College
Lecturer of the Year." Dr. Ruth has made wide use of the mass media to help
spread what she has labeled "sexual literacy."
In addition to radio, her television career has spanned both
broadcast and cable. In print, she circles the globe with her column, Ask Dr.
Ruth, syndicated by King Features. Dr. Ruth Westheimer's most recent works
include: Dr. Ruth's Couple's Guide to Pregnancy (1998); Dr. Ruth's Guide to
Grandparenting (1998); Dr. Ruth's Good Sex Night-to-Night Calendar; and a board
game titled Dr. Ruth's Game of Good Sex, which also has a computer version. The
National Mother's Day Committee has honored Dr. Ruth as "Mother of the Year" and
she received a Liberty Medal from the City of New York . Dr. Ruth Westheimer has
been nominated for an Ace Award and her program, The All-New Dr. Ruth Show, won
an Ace Award (1988) for excellence in cable television.
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