Meet some of the women who revolutionized medicine both past and present.
In both the past and today’s ever-changing world of healthcare, women have been at the forefront of everything from medical discoveries to groundbreaking research and policy change. From the pioneers who shaped what we now know as modern medicine to current leaders in healthcare, the influence of women cannot be overstated. In this article, we will highlight 10 of the most remarkable women in healthcare, both past and present.
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910)
Dr. Blackwell was the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree in 1849. She broke barriers for women in all fields of healthcare, and went on to become a strong advocate for women’s health as well as the education of women in various medical fields.
Florence Nightingale (1820–1910)
Florence Nightingale is often referred to as the founder of modern nursing care. She was one of the first to introduce hygiene and sanitation practices that dramatically reduced mortality and revolutionized healthcare. She took a statistical approach to public health that set the foundation for what today is the field of epidemiology.
Dr. Helen Brooke Taussig (1898–1986)
Dr. Taussig is a cardiologist who started the specialized field of pediatric cardiology. She is most known for developing the first open-heart surgery technique for children with congenital heart defects. Her work saved thousands of children’s lives and transformed the way pediatric heart conditions are treated.
Judy Faulkner
As the founder and CEO of Epic Systems, an electronic medical record software company that close to 50% of the U.S. market uses, she is now integrating and leveraging AI to reduce the administrative burden of healthcare on healthcare professionals.
Dr. Sandra Carson
Dr. Carson is an obstetrician and scientist who is credited with being the principal innovator of the first artificial human ovary. In their work, her team was able to design cells that functioned just like a real ovary. This discovery has the potential to play a role in future fertility treatments and the potential to preserve fertility in women undergoing treatments like chemotherapy that can affect future fertility.
Dr. Sharon Chinthrajah
Dr. Chinthrajah led the team that found a medication that limits dangerous and often deadly allergic reactions to foods in children. The medication, omalizumab, is an injection that allows children to ingest small amounts of foods that they had previously been severely allergic to.
Dr. Jennifer Doudna
Dr. Doudna is a biochemist who pioneered work on gene editing and was awarded the 2020 Nobel prize for chemistry. She was the first to propose that enzymes from bacteria could be used to edit genomes, and is touted to be the leader of “CRISPR-mediated genome editing” which has the potential to treat and prevent countless diseases and conditions.
Bonnie Anderson
Bonnie Andreson is the co-founder and former CEO of Veracyte, a company that uses genomic technology to help to diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases. Veracyte’s tests have helped patients get quicker diagnoses and treatment while avoiding unnecessary testing and procedures.
Dr. Christine Yu Moutier
Dr. Yu Moutier is a practicing psychiatrist and CMO for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). She has led a nationwide movement to reduce the incidence of suicide in the United States and is considered an international leader and expert in suicide prevention.
Lotte Bjerre Knudsen
Lotte Bjerre Knudsen is a Danish scientist who led the development of GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide, medications that have helped people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Her work, along with the work of other scientists including Joel Habener, Daniel J. Drucker, and Svetlana Mojsov have led to the development of several medications and treatments using GLP-1 agonists.
These are just a few of the hundreds of women in healthcare who have helped save lives, revolutionize care, and discover breakthroughs. The contributions of women in healthcare continue to shape the industry in countless ways, leading to new treatments, policy changes, and innovative startups that help to advance the healthcare industry. As we move forward, the importance of continuing to empower women to enter healthcare fields will be essential to continuing to address the challenges that the future healthcare landscape faces.
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