Harriet Hall

Harriet Hall is a prominent figure in the field of medicine, known for her contributions to the skeptic movement and her advocacy for science-based medicine. She is a retired family physician, former U.S. Air Force flight surgeon, and prolific author.

Early Life and Education

Hall was born in 1945 and raised in Seattle, Washington. She attended the University of Washington, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1967. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1970.

Career

After completing her medical degree, Hall joined the United States Air Force, where she served as a flight surgeon. During her time in the military, she was stationed in various locations around the world, including Vietnam and Spain. She retired from the Air Force in 1986 with the rank of Colonel.

Following her military service, Hall worked as a family physician in private practice. She also served as an instructor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Contributions to Skeptic Movement and Science-Based Medicine

Hall is a well-known figure in the skeptic movement, advocating for the use of science and evidence-based medicine. She is a co-founder of the Science-Based Medicine blog, where she regularly writes about pseudoscience in healthcare, alternative medicine, and medical ethics.

She is also a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) and a contributing editor to Skeptical Inquirer, a magazine published by CSI. In addition, she has written several books on science-based medicine and skepticism, including Women Aren't Supposed to Fly: The Memoirs of a Female Flight Surgeon and The SkepDoc's Guide to Alternative Medicine.

Recognition

Hall's work in promoting science-based medicine and skepticism has earned her several awards and recognitions. In 2011, she received the James Randi Educational Foundation's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Skepticism.