Hattie Alexander

Hattie E. Alexander, professor of pediatrics

Hattie Elizabeth Alexander (April 5, 1901 – June 24, 1968) was an influential American pediatrician and microbiologist. She is renowned for her groundbreaking research in the treatment of influenza and meningitis, particularly her development of an antibiotic treatment for Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) meningitis, which significantly reduced the mortality rate of the disease.

Early Life and Education

Hattie Elizabeth Alexander was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1901. She pursued her higher education at Goucher College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1923. Following her undergraduate studies, Alexander decided to enter the field of medicine and was admitted to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, one of the few women in her class. She graduated with her medical degree in 1927.

Career and Research

After completing her medical degree, Alexander began her career at Harriet Lane Home, a pediatric clinic associated with Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her early work involved clinical duties, but she quickly developed an interest in research, particularly in the field of bacteriology.

In the 1930s, Alexander turned her focus to the study of influenza and other bacterial infections that were leading causes of death among children. Her most notable achievement came in the 1940s when she developed a serum to combat H. influenzae meningitis. Before her discovery, the disease had a mortality rate of nearly 100%. Alexander's serum, derived from immunizing horses with the bacterium and then harvesting the antibodies, significantly reduced the mortality rate to less than 25%.

Alexander's work did not stop with the development of the serum. She also played a crucial role in the early adoption of antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections. In 1945, she was among the first to study the effects of streptomycin, a newly discovered antibiotic, on tuberculosis and other bacterial infections.

Throughout her career, Alexander was also deeply involved in the study of bacterial genetics and resistance to antibiotics. Her research in this area helped lay the groundwork for future studies on antibiotic resistance, a major public health concern today.

Legacy and Honors

Hattie Alexander's contributions to medicine and microbiology were widely recognized during her lifetime. In 1964, she became the first woman to serve as president of the American Pediatric Society. Her pioneering work in the treatment of bacterial infections and her efforts to combat antibiotic resistance have left a lasting impact on the field of pediatric medicine.

Alexander's dedication to research and her achievements in the medical field have inspired generations of scientists and physicians. Her legacy is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of scientific innovation in saving lives.

Death

Hattie Elizabeth Alexander passed away on June 24, 1968. Her death marked the loss of one of the most pioneering figures in the field of pediatric medicine and microbiology.

See Also

• Influenza
• Meningitis
• Antibiotic Resistance
• American Pediatric Society