Celebrating Women in Medicine: Meet Dr. Anandibai Joshi, India’s First Lady Doctor!
This Women’s Day of 2024, StudyMEDIC is honoring female doctors who paved the way for a new era of women empowerment in the medical field. Meet Dr. Anandibai Joshi , a pioneer who defied societal norms, shattered barriers, and reshaped the face of Indian healthcare by becoming the first Indian woman to earn a medical degree.
Dr. Anandibai Joshi: Inspiring Journey of First Indian Female Doctor with a Degree in Western Medicine
Being a victim of child marriage at the very young age of 14, the story of Anandibai Joshi, the first Indian woman who gained a degree in Western medicine, is something worth inspiring. The defining moment in Anandibai’s life was when she realized that the death of her newborn was due to the lack of medical services in the country. There began the journey of India’s first lady physician.
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Coming from a very conservative Brahmin family, her decision to go for studies overseas drew a lot of criticism in 19th-century Indian culture. However, with strong determination and in-depth dedication, Anandibai traveled to the United States to study medicine at the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania.
Breaking the big wall of societal opposition, In 1886, Anandibai successfully achieved the historic milestone of becoming the very first Indian woman to earn a medical degree. After her graduation, Anandibai worked as a doctor-in-charge at Albert Edward Hospital. Tragically, shortly after returning to India, she contracted tuberculosis, which led to her death at the tender age of 22.
Despite her short life, Dr. Anandibai Joshi's shining journey continues to be a testimony to countless Indian women who want to pursue their dream careers in the medical field.
Dr Anandibai truly deserves a big applause for leaving an indelible mark on the country’s healthcare system and thereby transforming the face of medicine in India.
Research Fellow at Swansea Univ.
3 周First lady doctors were allowed to graduate from the University of Edinburgh in 1896. First black student graduated from UoE in 1859. UoE also had many Indian students in the mid-19th century. First females allowed to graduate from my other alma mater, University College, Dundee (then a college of St Andrew's Univ., now known as the University of Dundee) in 1895. Scottish universities have been pioneers in many ways.
Prof em OBGYN universities of Leuven, Belgium, Oxord UK, Gemelli Rome Italy and Moscow Russia.
1 年Also in Europe women paved the way. An example is Dr Anastasia Ussia, who introduced Crotone, Calabria, Pap smear testing for cervical cancer, breast cancer screening and oncologic surgery with Daniel D'Argent and minimally invasive surgery with Harry Reich and others.