Phyllis Cilento

LadyCilento-1943

Phyllis Dorothy Cilento (13 March 1894 – 26 July 1987) was an Australian medical practitioner, author, and advocate for women's health and childcare. She was a prominent figure in the field of public health and made significant contributions to the medical community in Australia.

Early Life and Education

Phyllis Cilento was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 13 March 1894. She attended the University of Sydney, where she studied medicine and graduated with a MBBS in 1918. During her time at university, she developed a keen interest in public health and preventive medicine.

Career

After completing her medical degree, Cilento worked in various hospitals in Sydney and Melbourne. In 1922, she married Raphael Cilento, a fellow medical practitioner, and the couple moved to Queensland.

In Queensland, Phyllis Cilento became actively involved in promoting women's health and childcare. She wrote extensively on these topics, contributing articles to newspapers and medical journals. She also authored several books, including "The Cilento Way" and "You Don't Have to be a Doctor."

Cilento was a founding member of the Queensland Medical Women's Society and served as its president. She was also involved with the Australian Medical Association and the National Council of Women of Australia.

Advocacy and Contributions

Phyllis Cilento was a strong advocate for maternal and child health. She promoted the importance of nutrition, vaccination, and preventive care in ensuring the well-being of mothers and children. Her work in this area helped to improve public health policies and practices in Australia.

Cilento was also a pioneer in the field of sex education and worked to raise awareness about the importance of family planning. She believed in empowering women with knowledge about their bodies and reproductive health.

Later Life and Legacy

Phyllis Cilento continued to be active in the medical community well into her later years. She received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to public health, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1977.

She passed away on 26 July 1987, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to improving the health and well-being of women and children in Australia.

See Also

• Raphael Cilento
• Public health
• Women's health
• Childcare
• Preventive medicine