National Women Physician Day is February 3rd!
This day marks the birthday of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States in 1849. Dr. Blackwell initiated the movement that helped women gain entry and equality in the field of medicine.
The day celebrates the courage of Elizabeth Blackwell and the accomplishments of female physicians everywhere. At the same time, the day strives to bring improvements to the workplace for the growing number of women physicians entering the field of medicine.
5 Women Who Have Greatly Impacted the Medical Field
- Marie Curie: Her work on radiation led to medical advances, including cancer treatments.
- Florence Nightingale: She was the first woman to receive the Order of Merit for her work during the Crimean War.
- Maria Montessori: Montessori, the first woman in Italy to get a medical degree, developed the eponymous education system that encourages exploration and hands-on learning.
- Rosalind Elsie Franklin: This British biophysicist’s work with x-ray DNA images led to the discovery of DNA’s double helix.
- Virginia Apgar: She developed the Apgar score, which measures a newborn baby’s health — and was Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons’ first female “full” professor.
Be sure to educate your friends and family about the impact of women physicians!
