Edith Quimby

Edith Quimby

Edith Hinkley Quimby (July 10, 1891 – October 11, 1982) was a pioneering American physicist and radiologist whose significant contributions to the field of radiation therapy for cancer treatment and her research in the measurement of radiation dosage have had a lasting impact on medical physics. Her work laid the groundwork for the safe and effective use of X-rays in medicine, making her one of the most distinguished figures in the early days of radiology.

Early Life and Education

Edith Quimby was born in Rockford, Illinois, and grew up in a family that valued education. She pursued her higher education at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, where she earned her B.A. in Physics in 1912. Following her graduation, Quimby moved to the University of California, Berkeley, where she completed her M.S. in Physics in 1913. Her early interest in science and mathematics paved the way for her future career in medical physics.

Career

After completing her master's degree, Quimby began her career in physics as a research assistant. Her journey into the field of radiology started when she joined the Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases in New York City, now known as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Here, Quimby's research focused on the application of radiation in treating cancer, a relatively new concept at the time.

Quimby's work involved developing methods for accurately measuring radiation doses, a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and effectiveness of radiation therapy. She collaborated with other pioneers in the field, such as Gioacchino Failla, to standardize radiation dosage, leading to the development of the Quimby-Failla system of dosimetry. This system was instrumental in the adoption of safer radiation therapy techniques across the medical community.

Throughout her career, Quimby published numerous papers on radiation measurement and safety, contributing significantly to the body of knowledge in medical physics. Her research not only improved the treatment outcomes for cancer patients but also helped establish safety standards for the use of X-rays and other forms of radiation in medicine.

Legacy

Edith Quimby's contributions to medical physics and radiology have been widely recognized. She was one of the first women to achieve prominence in a field dominated by men, breaking barriers for future generations of female scientists. Quimby received numerous awards and honors for her work, including being one of the first women elected to the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM).

Her legacy continues to influence the field of medical physics, with her research still forming the basis for modern radiation therapy protocols and safety standards. Quimby's pioneering work has saved countless lives and improved the quality of cancer treatment, making her a key figure in the history of medicine.

See Also

• Radiology
• Medical Physics
• Radiation Therapy
• Cancer Treatment