Sarah Dolley

Portrait of American physician Sarah Dolley (1829%E2%80%931909)

Sarah Read Adamson Dolley (September 22, 1829 – December 10, 1909) was an influential figure in the history of medicine and a pioneer for women in medicine in the United States. She is best known for being one of the first female physicians in the country and for her significant contributions to the medical education of women.

Early Life and Education

Sarah Read Adamson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a Quaker family. From a young age, she showed a keen interest in the sciences, particularly in biology and medicine. Despite the societal norms of the time, which largely excluded women from formal education in the medical field, Adamson was determined to pursue a career in medicine.

In 1851, she married Charles Dolley, a fellow Quaker and supporter of her medical ambitions. With his encouragement, she sought medical education at a time when very few institutions accepted female students. Sarah Dolley's perseverance led her to the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, now known as the Drexel University College of Medicine, where she was admitted and eventually graduated with a degree in medicine in 1854, becoming one of the first female physicians in the United States.

Medical Career

After obtaining her medical degree, Dr. Sarah Dolley embarked on a career that would span over five decades. She began practicing medicine in Rochester, New York, where she quickly gained a reputation for her skill, compassion, and dedication to her patients. In addition to her private practice, Dr. Dolley was deeply committed to the advancement of medical education for women.

In 1857, she played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Rochester City Hospital, now known as the Rochester General Hospital, where she served as one of its first physicians. Her efforts in the hospital setting not only provided critical healthcare services to the community but also opened doors for other women in the medical profession by setting a precedent for female physicians in clinical settings.

Advocacy and Legacy

Throughout her career, Dr. Dolley was a staunch advocate for the education and inclusion of women in the medical profession. She was involved in various medical societies and organizations, where she used her influence to support the rights of women physicians and to promote health education among women and children.

Dr. Sarah Dolley's legacy is marked by her pioneering spirit and her contributions to the medical field. She paved the way for future generations of women in medicine, demonstrating that women could excel in the medical profession and make significant contributions to healthcare and medical education.

Her work and dedication to medicine have been recognized posthumously, with her name being honored in various ways, including scholarships and awards established in her name to support women pursuing careers in medicine.

Death and Recognition

Dr. Sarah Read Adamson Dolley passed away on December 10, 1909, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Her life and work have been commemorated in various ways, including the naming of buildings and institutions in her honor, to acknowledge her contributions to medicine and her role as a trailblazer for women in the field.

‎

---

Translate: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, தமிழ், తెలుగు, Urdu, ಕನ್ನಡ, Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, বাংলা
European español, Deutsch, français, Greek, português do Brasil, polski, română, русский, Nederlands, norsk, svenska, suomi, Italian
Middle Eastern & African عربى, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, Afrikaans, isiZulu, Kiswahili,
Other Bulgarian, Hungarian, Czech, Swedish, മലയാളം, मराठी, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, ગુજરાતી, Portuguese, Ukrainian