Ingeborg Rapoport

Ingeborg Rapoport

Ingeborg Rapoport (2 September 1912 – 23 March 2017) was a distinguished pediatrician and the first person to receive a doctorate degree nearly 80 years after being denied her final oral examination on racial grounds by the Nazi regime. Her remarkable life and career spanned over a century, during which she made significant contributions to medicine, particularly in the field of neonatology.

Early Life and Education

Born Ingeborg Syllm in Kribi, in the German Cameroon (now Cameroon), Rapoport moved to Berlin with her family in 1922. She began her medical studies at the University of Hamburg in 1933. However, her education was abruptly halted in 1937 when the Nazis, who had risen to power in Germany, refused to allow her to take her final oral exam to complete her medical degree because of her Jewish heritage.

Emigration and Continued Studies

Undeterred, Rapoport emigrated to the United States, where she continued her studies and eventually earned her medical degree from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1938. She specialized in pediatrics and developed a keen interest in neonatology, a relatively new field at the time.

Career

After working in the United States for several years, Rapoport returned to Europe in the late 1950s, settling in East Berlin, East Germany. There, she became a leading figure in the medical community, contributing to the development of neonatal care both as a practicing pediatrician and as an academic. She played a pivotal role in establishing neonatology as a recognized medical specialty in East Germany and was instrumental in founding one of the first neonatal intensive care units in the country.

Doctorate Recognition

In a historic redress of injustice, the University of Hamburg invited Rapoport to complete her oral examination in 2015, nearly 80 years after it was unjustly denied. At the age of 102, she passed the exam, making her the oldest person to receive a doctorate degree. This extraordinary event garnered international attention and served as a poignant reminder of the injustices perpetrated by the Nazi regime.

Legacy

Ingeborg Rapoport's life and career were marked by resilience, excellence, and a profound commitment to advancing medical science. Her contributions to neonatology have left a lasting impact on the field, and her story continues to inspire future generations of medical professionals. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 104, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking achievements and unwavering dedication to her profession.

See Also

• History of Medicine
• Neonatology
• Nazi Germany