Dr. Kay, a professor of history, received her bachelor's degree in both biology and history from Bowdoin College, and her master's and doctoral degrees in history of medicine and science from Yale University. She teaches primarily late 19th- and early 20th-century American history, history of medicine and science, and women's history. Her research interests include federal regulations about cosmetics, science education for women in the late 20th century and the relationship between cookbooks, health information, and diet trends.
She joined the SUNY Oswego history department in 2000 and has taught in the Honors Program almost since her arrival on campus. She has served as associate director of the Honors Program, as well as on the SUNY Oswego Women's Studies Advisory Board and the Honors Advisory Board. She is currently the college's Faculty Senator. In addition, she has served as a consultant to the Onondaga County Medical Society and on the Council on Education for the American Association for the History of Medicine. She is currently treasurer of the Forum for History of Science in America.