Dr. Nancy McCall M.D.

1927 - 2017

Nancy McCall Clish/ Dr. Nancy McCall, M.D.
Sept 9, 1927 - July 26, 2017
San Jose
A native of Nashville, TN, Nancy's parents were James Calvin Russell McCall II and Frances Stokes McCall. She attended Hillsboro High School and completed her undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University.
Nancy graduated from Vanderbilt University Medical School in 1951 at the age of twenty three with the academic distinction of being elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha, Honor Medical Society in her third year of medical school. She moved to California and completed a fellowship in pathology at San Francisco General Hospital which taught her that she truly enjoyed contact with living persons. She then pursued an internship at Stanford Lane Hospital, San Francisco (now Stanford University Hospital), a two-year residency at Children's Hospital San Francisco and a one year residency at Kern County Hospital, Bakersfield. The internship and both residencies were in the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn).
Dedicating her life to searching for fundamental scientific truth and improving the well-being of women through medical care, family planning and birth control, Nancy founded her ob-gyn practice in San Jose in 1957.
With her marriage to James Richard Clish in May 1958, she enjoyed a wonderful partnership filled with love, admiration and friendship. He was her strongest advocate and biggest ally, supporting her in her desire to found San Jose Women's Medical Group; a group of female physicians and nurse practitioners who could collaborate and support each other. Dr. McCall was able to focus on patient care and mentoring other female physicians while Jim Clish became the business administrator. It was a unique marriage and business partnership that allowed them both to excel in their areas of expertise. After thirty two years, Nancy retired from practice in 1989.
Nancy was an advocate for women's rights and chose a profession in medicine when it was unusual for women to do so. She and Jim had two children, Sarah Frances Clish and Jourdan James Clish. Nancy balanced her professional career and motherhood beautifully. She made the time to be a part of her children's lives and gave them the love and support necessary for each to find their own paths of success.
She was an avid reader, a lover and patron of the arts, a dog person through and through and a woman of grace, courage and determination. Nancy is survived by her two children, her daughter-in-law Joy Ann Clish, her brother James Russell McCall and his wife Beverly Evensen McCall.
Should you want honor Nancy with a contribution, please consider donations to either the Humane Society of Silicon Valley or Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, located in San Jose.


View the online memorial for Nancy McCall Clish/ Dr. Nancy McCall, M.D.