Catharine Macfarlane

Catharine Macfarlane (1877–1969) was a pioneering gynecologist and cancer researcher. She was the first woman to be admitted to the American College of Surgeons and was a founding member of the American Women's Hospitals Service. Macfarlane dedicated her career to the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer, and her work has had a lasting impact on the field of oncology.

Early life and education

Catharine Macfarlane was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1877. She attended the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, where she graduated in 1898. She then completed her residency at the Woman's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Career

In 1914, Macfarlane became the first woman to be admitted to the American College of Surgeons. She was also a founding member of the American Women's Hospitals Service, an organization that provides healthcare to women and children in underserved areas.

Macfarlane's primary focus was on the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. She developed a method for early detection that involved regular Pap smear screenings, which is still used today. Her work in this area has had a lasting impact on the field of oncology.

Legacy

Catharine Macfarlane's contributions to the field of medicine have been recognized with several awards and honors. In 1962, she was awarded the Elizabeth Blackwell Award for her work in the field of women's health. The American Cancer Society also named an award in her honor, the Catharine Macfarlane Award, which is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the fight against cancer.

See also

• List of female scientists in the 20th century
• Women in medicine