Authors: Meghan Etsey, MS3 and Dr. Rosy Thachil MD, FACC on behalf of the AMWA Gender Equity Task Force
Source: Self-Rescuing Princess Society. Inspiration: Pioneering Women in Medicine You Need to Know. Medium. Published March 11, 2017. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://medium.com/self-rescuing-princess-society/inspiration-pioneering-women-in-medicine-you-need-know-bfb484faad96
Throughout history, the contributions of women in medicine have often been overshadowed by the achievements of their male counterparts. However, many women have fought against gender inequality and made groundbreaking strides in medical science, patient care, and healthcare advocacy. These trailblazers not only paved the way for future generations of women in medicine but also challenged and redefined the medical profession itself. Their legacies have shaped the field of medicine as we know it today. In this post, we will highlight several of these pioneering women and the profound impact they have had on healthcare and society.
1. Elizabeth Blackwell: The First Woman to Receive a Medical Degree in the U.S.
Elizabeth Blackwell’s groundbreaking achievement as the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States (from Geneva Medical College in 1849) was a pivotal moment in medical history. Despite facing considerable opposition from her male peers and society at large, Blackwell persisted in her education, believing that women had a unique ability to care for the sick and nurture health. Her perseverance led to a lasting impact on both the medical profession and women’s rights. In 1857, she founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children, which not only provided medical care to underserved communities but also trained women to become physicians. Blackwell’s contributions helped open doors for future generations of women in medicine, demonstrating that gender should never limit one’s potential to contribute to the healthcare field (Michals 2015).
2. Virginia Apgar: Revolutionizing Newborn Care
Dr. Virginia Apgar’s contributions to neonatology have had a lasting and transformative impact on the care of newborns worldwide. In 1952, Apgar developed the Apgar Score, a quick and simple system for assessing the health of newborns immediately after birth. This assessment tool, still in use today, evaluates critical aspects of a baby’s health—such as heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, and reflexes—allowing healthcare providers to quickly determine if a newborn requires immediate medical attention. Despite facing barriers as a woman in a male-dominated medical field, Apgar’s work helped to revolutionize the treatment of newborns and save countless lives. Her advocacy for public health education and her fight for equitable healthcare for women and children continue to inspire today’s healthcare professionals (National, 2015, Apgar).
3. Helen Brooke Taussig: Founding Pediatric Cardiology
Dr. Helen Brooke Taussig, a physician and pioneering cardiologist, is credited with founding the field of pediatric cardiology. In the 1940s, while still a young physician, Taussig developed the first successful open-heart surgery technique for children with congenital heart defects. Her work not only led to significant advances in pediatric cardiac care but also opened doors for women in the field of cardiology, a specialty long dominated by men. Despite being deaf for much of her life, Taussig never allowed this challenge to limit her professional aspirations. Her research and dedication to improving the quality of life for children with heart conditions have left an indelible mark on both medicine and the medical community (National, 2015, Taussig).
4. Helen Rodriguez-Trias: Champion of Reproductive Rights and Public Health
Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias, a prominent Puerto Rican physician, became an influential advocate for women’s health, particularly in the areas of reproductive rights, maternal health, and access to healthcare for marginalized communities. As the first Latina president of the American Public Health Association, Rodriguez-Trias worked tirelessly to address issues like maternal mortality, lack of healthcare access, and inequality in health services. Her work focused on empowering women to take control of their reproductive health and ensuring access to necessary healthcare resources. She left a lasting impact on public health policy and women’s healthcare, advocating for an inclusive and equitable approach to medical care (National, 2015, Trias).
The women highlighted in this post represent just a fraction of the many who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of medicine. Their resilience, intelligence, and commitment to healthcare reform have not only shaped the history of medicine but have also paved the way for future generations of women in the field. As we continue to push for gender equality in healthcare, these trailblazing women serve as an inspiration for all who follow. Their legacies remind us that progress in the medical field depends on the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences that contribute to it.
References
- Michals, D. (2015). Elizabeth Blackwell. National Women’s History Museum. Retrieved March 1, 2025, from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/elizabeth-blackwell.
- National Library of Medicine. (2015). Dr. Helen Brooke Taussig. Changing the Face of Medicine. Retrieved March 1, 2025, from https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_316.html
- National Library of Medicine. (2015). Dr. Helen Rodríguez Trías. Changing the Face of Medicine. Retrieved March 1, 2025, from https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_273.html
- National Library of Medicine. (2015). Dr. Virginia Apgar. Changing the Face of Medicine. Retrieved March 1, 2025, from https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_12.html
About the Authors
Meghan Etsey, MS3 is a third year medical student from St. George’s University. She has a Bachelors of Arts in Biology and a Bachelors of Arts in Nutrition and Dietetics from Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio. She served as the President of the St. George’s University’s Women in Medicine chapter in St. George, Grenada where she expanded relationships with the community and worked towards educating women and helping the youth. She is also a member of the Gender Equity Task Force and Sex and Gender Health Collaborative Committees within the American Medical Women’s Association. When she is not pursuing medicine, you can find her with her friends and family on different road trips and adventures exploring the world.
Rosy Thachil, MD, FACC, co-chair of AMWA’s Gender Equity Task Force, is a quadruple board-certified cardiologist, serving as Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Elmhurst Hospital Center, and Assistant Professor at Mount Sinai College of Medicine in New York. Dr. Thachil’s clinical interests include critical care cardiology/acute cardiovascular care and health disparities. In addition to addressing cardiovascular disease, she is passionate about advancing womens’ roles in medicine/leadership. She also serves on the American College of Cardiology Critical Care Leadership Council and she is a candidate at Wharton’s executive MBA program (‘25), and holds certificates in physician leadership and bioethics