Susan Ann Edson

Susan Ann Edson

Susan Ann Edson (1823–1897) was a prominent American physician and one of the first women to practice medicine in the United States. She is best known for her role as the personal physician to President James A. Garfield during his final illness following an assassination attempt in 1881.

Early Life and Education

Susan Ann Edson was born in 1823 in New York. From a young age, she showed a keen interest in medicine, a field that was largely inaccessible to women at the time. Despite societal norms that discouraged women from pursuing higher education, especially in fields like medicine, Edson was determined to forge a path in the medical profession. She attended the Central Medical College in Syracuse, New York, one of the few institutions at the time that admitted women. Edson graduated with honors, becoming one of the first women in the United States to earn a medical degree.

Career

After completing her medical education, Dr. Edson began her practice, focusing on women and children's health. Her practice grew steadily, and she became known for her expertise and compassionate care. Dr. Edson's reputation as a skilled physician reached the White House in 1881, when President James A. Garfield was shot by an assassin. Dr. Edson was called to Washington, D.C., to attend to the President. She became an integral part of the team of physicians caring for him and was by his side until his death in September 1881. Her role in the President's care brought her national recognition, but it also highlighted the challenges and prejudices faced by women in medicine.

Legacy

Susan Ann Edson's contributions to medicine and her role in caring for President Garfield have made her a significant figure in the history of American medicine. She broke barriers for women in the medical profession and paved the way for future generations of female physicians. Her dedication to her patients and her pioneering spirit remain an inspiration to those in the medical field. Dr. Edson's life and work are a testament to the impact that one individual can have on society and the advancement of women in professions previously dominated by men.

See Also

• Women in medicine
• James A. Garfield
• History of medicine in the United States