Dorothy Hansine Andersen

Dorothy Hansine Andersen (April 15, 1901 – March 3, 1963) was an American pediatrician and pathologist renowned for her discovery of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and the development of a diagnostic test for the disease. Her groundbreaking work in the early 20th century laid the foundation for modern treatments and understanding of CF, a major achievement in the field of medicine and genetics.

Early Life and Education

Dorothy Andersen was born in Asheville, North Carolina. She pursued her undergraduate degree at Mount Holyoke College, where she developed an interest in biology and chemistry. After completing her bachelor's degree, Andersen faced challenges in pursuing a medical career due to her gender. Despite these obstacles, she was admitted to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she earned her medical degree in 1926. Andersen's passion for research and academic medicine led her to specialize in pathology, a field that allowed her to combine her interests in clinical practice and laboratory science.

Career and Research

After completing her medical training, Andersen began her career at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she would spend the majority of her professional life. It was during her tenure at Columbia that Andersen made her most significant contribution to medicine: the identification and characterization of Cystic Fibrosis.

In 1938, while examining the autopsy of a child who had died of malnutrition, Andersen noticed unusual changes in the pancreas, lungs, and intestines that were not consistent with any known disease at the time. Through meticulous research and further case studies, she was able to describe the clinical and pathological features of a new disease, which she named "Cystic Fibrosis of the Pancreas." This landmark discovery was published in 1938 in the American Journal of Diseases of Children.

Andersen's work did not stop with the discovery of CF. She also developed a diagnostic test, known as the sweat test, which measures the concentration of salt in a person's sweat. This test remains a critical tool in diagnosing CF to this day.

Legacy

Dorothy Andersen's contributions to medicine extend beyond her discovery of Cystic Fibrosis. She was a pioneer for women in the medical field, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of female scientists and physicians. Andersen received numerous awards and honors for her work, including election to the American Pediatric Society.

Despite her achievements, Andersen's career was cut short by her untimely death from lung cancer in 1963. However, her legacy lives on through the countless lives saved and improved by her research and the ongoing efforts to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

See Also

• Cystic Fibrosis
• Pediatrics
• Pathology
• Sweat test

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Dorothy Hansine Andersen

Dorothy Hansine Andersen is a rare disease.