Grethe Rask

Grethe Rask was a pioneering Danish physician and surgeon who made significant contributions to the field of medicine. She was one of the first medical professionals to recognize and study the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in the 1970s.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Born on 30 September 1930 in Denmark, Rask showed an early interest in medicine. She completed her medical studies at the University of Copenhagen in 1958, specializing in surgery.

Career[edit | edit source]

Rask moved to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1964, where she worked as a surgeon at the Hospital of Hope in Bunia. During her time in Africa, she treated numerous patients with mysterious symptoms, which she later identified as early cases of AIDS.

AIDS Research[edit | edit source]

In the late 1970s, Rask began to experience symptoms similar to those of her patients. She returned to Denmark in 1977, where she was diagnosed with AIDS, becoming one of the first known healthcare workers to contract the disease. Despite her illness, Rask continued her research on AIDS until her death in 1979.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Rask's work in identifying and treating AIDS in its early stages has had a lasting impact on the medical community. Her dedication to her patients and her research has made her a symbol of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.