Mary Stone (doctor)

MaryStone

Mary Stone (also known as Shi Meiyu; 1873–1954) was a pioneering Chinese physician and medical missionary. She was one of the first Chinese women to receive a Western medical education and played a significant role in the development of modern medicine in China.

Early Life

Mary Stone was born in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China, in 1873. She was the daughter of a Methodist minister, which influenced her early exposure to Christianity and Western ideas. Her family valued education, and she was encouraged to pursue her studies.

Education

In 1892, Mary Stone traveled to the United States to study at the University of Michigan, where she earned her medical degree in 1896. She was one of the first Chinese women to graduate from a Western medical school. Her education was sponsored by the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Medical Career

After completing her education, Mary Stone returned to China and began her medical practice in Jiujiang. She co-founded the Elizabeth Skelton Danforth Hospital in 1900, which was one of the first hospitals in China to be run by a Chinese woman. The hospital provided medical care to thousands of patients and served as a training center for Chinese nurses and doctors.

Contributions to Medicine

Mary Stone was instrumental in introducing Western medical practices to China. She emphasized the importance of hygiene, vaccination, and public health measures. She also worked to improve the status of women in Chinese society by advocating for their education and professional development.

Later Life and Legacy

Mary Stone continued her medical work throughout her life, even during the turbulent years of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War. She passed away in 1954, leaving behind a legacy of medical innovation and dedication to public health.

Mary Stone's contributions to medicine and her role as a pioneer for women in the field have been recognized in both China and the United States. Her work paved the way for future generations of Chinese women in medicine.

See Also

• Western medicine in China
• Medical missions
• Women in medicine
• University of Michigan Medical School