Softball Player Dot Richardson Biography

Dot Richardson Biography

"Helping people as a doctor is like receiving a gold medal every day." That's how Dr. Dot Richardson ties together her life as star softball player and orthopedic surgeon. "I love surgery," she said. "It's like playing sports. It's a challenge. In the operating room, it takes a team effort to perform the best for the person who has entrusted their life to you."

Dot worked hard at being the best softball player and doctor she could be. She threw, batted, and caught softballs all through elementary and high school; through college and medical school. While a doctor in residency, she'd often work 20-hour shifts at the hospital and then go to the softball field to practice.

Her dedication brought her awards in college, world championships and the Pan American games. In 1996, Dot became the first woman to hit a home run in the Olympics. She also hit two others, including one in the final game. As she stood with her USA teammates to receive the Olympic gold medal, Dot's lifetime dream had come true.

But she wasn't finished. Soon Dot was back at work at the hospital. Was she unhappy? Not at all. "Medicine is very fulfilling to me," she said, "because I am able to help people. And nothing satisfies me more."

Four years later Dot led the USA team to another gold medal in the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Today she is the Director and Medical Director for the USA Center for Sports and Health in Clermont, Florida.

What advice does Dot offer young girls? You will succeed in sports, schoolwork, a career, and anything you do, when you try "to be the best that you can be."