Fifty years ago, 89 students arrived in Lakeville and ushered in a new era of women and girls at Hotchkiss. Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, Hotchkiss will reflect on their inspiring legacy, pay tribute to the achievements of students who followed in their footsteps, and gratefully acknowledge all members of the Hotchkiss community who boldly helped steer the School forward.
By Erin Reid P’01,’05
Dr. Joseph “Welles” Henderson IV ’96 says Hotchkiss was fundamental in his decision to pursue a medical career, and he still finds inspiration in the School’s motto: “Guided by each other, let us seek better paths.” He is now an obstetrician/gynecologist and serves as a clinical instructor of female pelvic medicine at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio.
As an eighth-grader, Henderson felt that the secondary educational options in Washington, D.C. were too limited, so he persuaded his parents to look at boarding schools. “When I visited Hotchkiss, I was drawn to the established coeducation curriculum and the structure that I subconsciously knew I needed to succeed. Parny Hagerman P’88,’95, who was director of admission at the time, welcomed me and was instrumental in making me feel at home.”
The Hotchkiss Science Department proved to be truly motivating, and Henderson's teachers played important roles in developing his enthusiasm for the sciences and medicine. “Their passion for biology was infectious,” he said. “I became fascinated by the ‘human machine’ thanks to them. They offered an incredible diversity of experience, from collecting insects for a lower-mid project on a beautiful New England fall evening to going out on ambulance calls as a member of the Salisbury EMS my senior year after becoming certified at Hotchkiss.” Henderson also credits Hotchkiss with his love of Thoreau and literature.
Henderson was passionate about soccer, ice hockey, and golf, but he regrets that Hotchkiss did not have a rowing team during his time in Lakeville. “I discovered this passion in college with my good friend from Hotchkiss, Ben Stapleton ’96. I’m thrilled to see Bearcats getting out on the water with oars in hand!”
Matriculating at Harvard where he earned a bachelor of arts, Henderson began medical school at Thomas Jefferson University in a quest to become a surgeon. He soon discovered the incredible variety of practice within the OB/GYN field. “This path allows you to care for an individual through the entire course of her life. From imaging to endocrinology to some of the most complex surgeries, this field has it all.”
He completed his residency at the University of Utah and became a generalist for a year before completing three additional years in the field of urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical School in Cleveland, OH. Henderson finds teaching at a major academic hospital most rewarding. “I am now an adjunct professor at University Hospitals, teaching medical students, residents, and fellows. I couldn’t be happier with my decision.”
As an authority in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery, Henderson explains that this subspecialty of OB/GYN and urology specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of non-cancerous urologic, defecatory, functional, and reconstructive pelvic disease in women. “This can include pelvic pain, fibroids, urinary and fecal incontinence, prolapse, and birth injuries. Urinary incontinence is one of the most common diseases in women over 40. This is a debilitating disease, causing significant quality-of-life concerns with a similar impact on individual health-related scores when compared to diabetes,” he explained. “We have readily available therapies developed over the last 20 years that improve urge incontinence symptoms by greater than 50 percent in nearly 90 percent of women. It’s an amazing feeling when so many of your patients return happier and healthier than when they were first evaluated.”
As Hotchkiss celebrates 50 years of women at the School, he notes the incredible increase in women in medicine—specifically in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery—and points to clear data that show improved patient outcomes and improved working conditions. “I am honored to work with an extraordinary group of two men and three women at University Hospitals and am reminded daily of how important my own experience with coeducation is to my relationships with my peers and patients. Coeducation at Hotchkiss certainly helped to foster in me an interest in the sciences and women’s health. Hotchkiss taught me to challenge myself and persevere, and made me realize that I could often do better and should not be afraid to ask questions. Hotchkiss helped inspire in me a curiosity which continues to this day—a truly special place that allowed me to aspire to those ‘better paths.’”
He is very proud to support his wife, Valerie Henderson, who is the chair of MedWish MedWorks. “This incredible organization delivers high-quality health care resources and medical supplies to underserved populations worldwide. They have kept more than 600,000 pounds of medical supplies each year from landfills, and their programs impact millions of lives annually.”
Henderson is currently on sabbatical in the South Pacific. “From January to December 2025 my wife and I are sailing our 46-foot catamaran ‘Optimystic’ from Puerto Rico to Australia with our three children: Zeph, 15, Charlotte, 13, and Max, 11.” He invites the extended Hotchkiss community to follow their adventures at www.sailingoptimystic.com.