Mary Elizabeth Phillips (physician)

American physician and medical educator

Mary Elizabeth Phillips (1875–1956) was a pioneering American physician and medical educator known for her contributions to public health and her service during World War I. She was one of the first women to serve as a medical officer in the United States Army and played a significant role in advancing the role of women in medicine.

Early life and education

Mary Elizabeth Phillips was born in 1875 in New York City. She was raised in a family that valued education and public service. Phillips attended Barnard College, where she excelled in the sciences, and later pursued her medical degree at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She graduated in 1900, one of the few women in her class.

Medical career

After completing her medical degree, Phillips began her career at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, where she specialized in internal medicine. Her work at Bellevue was groundbreaking, as she was one of the first women to hold a senior position in the hospital.

World War I service

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Phillips in 1919

During World War I, Phillips volunteered for service with the American Red Cross and was deployed to France in 1917. She served as a medical officer in the American Expeditionary Forces, where she was responsible for overseeing the health and medical treatment of soldiers. Her work was highly regarded, and she was promoted to the rank of Major, one of the first women to achieve such a rank in the U.S. Army.

Dr. Mary Phillips in Ajaccio during World War I

Post-war contributions

After the war, Phillips returned to the United States and continued her work in public health. She became a professor at Columbia University, where she taught courses in public health and preventive medicine. Her research focused on infectious diseases and the development of vaccines.

Legacy

Mary Elizabeth Phillips is remembered as a trailblazer for women in medicine. Her contributions to public health and her service during World War I paved the way for future generations of women physicians. She was a member of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Public Health Association.

Related pages

• Women in medicine
• American Red Cross
• World War I
• Public health