Meet Nancy Dugal Perrier, Malinda Jolley Mortin Woman of Achievement!

Nancy Dugal Perrier, M.D., F.A.C.S. (Phi Gamma/Louisiana State U) is a renowned surgeon and tenured professor of the Department of Surgical Oncology and Chief-Section of Surgical Endocrinology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Nancy serves as Fellowship Director in endocrine surgery and as Associate Director of the Multidisciplinary Endocrine center.

Nancy was initiated into Phi Gamma Chapter at Louisiana State U, where she later served as recruitment chair. She met her husband Dan at LSU and they have two children, Daniel and Amélie.  

Nancy's pledge Sister Kelly Rucker Bingel shared a few memories of her longtime friend and Malinda Jolley Mortin Woman of Achievement.

Going through rush at LSU with several thousand young women in 1985 was a whirlwind. Few of us stood out in those first few days of college as we juggled new classes, surroundings and people. But most people noticed and remembered Nancy Dugal.

She was beautiful. The kind of beautiful that intimidates most people. And she talked really loud. About becoming a doctor.

In our pledge class of 65, it was difficult to learn names and faces right away. But everyone remembered Nancy.

Nancy quickly emerged as a leader in our chapter of 220. She was a frequent flyer in the Owls’ Roost, which is what we called our study hall in the Chi Omega house. A tenacious student, she stayed up late at night studying for microbiology and chemistry tests. But she was good at budgeting her time, so having high grades didn’t keep Nancy from our Thursday night exchanges with fraternities, Saturday night football game dates and other fun activities.

The Sigma Chis chose her as a Little Sister. The students of LSU chose her as our Homecoming Queen. And we Chi Omegas chose her as our Rush Chairman.

Nancy made perfect sense as Rush Chairman as she stood at the door each party greeting rushees. She was effusive in her greetings and her positive energy was contagious. But during rush skits, she knew to temper her boisterous enthusiasm because – as anyone who knows Nancy knows – she really can’t sing. During long hours of rush skit practices, Nancy could send us all reeling with laughter by belting out a sentimental rush song in her foghorn alto.

Today, Nancy continues to lead those around her. I’ve visited her at MD Anderson, where she teaches budding surgeons, leads in endocrine research and cares for patients. Her world is much larger than our world at LSU. But people still turn to watch the beautiful doctor walk by.

When we Phi Gammas heard that Nancy had been selected for the Malinda Jolley Mortin Woman of Achievement, none of us was surprised. Nancy is womanly always, discouraged never. She carries herself as a lady in a world that is still largely dominated by males. And she balances her career with poise as she and her husband, Dan, raise their son and daughter in Houston, TX.

As I watch my own beautiful 8-year-old daughter discover who she is, I encourage her daily to pursue her messy science experiments where she makes potions that accidentally spill on our carpets. Perhaps she can be a Chi Omega surgeon like Nancy one day and people will recognize her brains as well as her beauty.