Pioneering Women in Healthcare: A History of Courage and Future of Excellence 

 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we honor the remarkable women who have pioneered advancements in medicine, shaping the landscape of healthcare and clinical research. From trailblazers like Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, to modern-day innovators such as Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a viral immunologist who played a key role in developing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Their dedication has saved countless lives and improved healthcare systems worldwide. These women have not only overcome immense challenges but have also revolutionized healthcare for generations to come. Their contributions are a testament to the power of intellect and perseverance in breaking barriers and driving progress in medicine. 

Remarkable Women in Healthcare History

Read through the story highlights about a few of these pioneering women: 

1. Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910): Elizabeth Blackwell made history as the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States in 1849, despite facing immense discrimination. She paved the way for women in medicine, advocating for the education and professional advancement of female physicians. 

2. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895): In 1864, Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first African American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. She dedicated her career to providing medical care to underserved communities, particularly women and children. 

3. Helen Brooke Taussig (1898-1986): Dr. Helen Taussig was a trailblazing cardiologist who made groundbreaking advancements in pediatric cardiology. She was instrumental in developing the concept of the Blalock-Taussig shunt, a surgical procedure to treat congenital heart defects in infants. 

4. Gertrude B. Elion (1918-1999): Dr. Gertrude Elion was a biochemist and pharmacologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988 for her contributions to drug development. Her research led to the creation of drugs to treat leukemia, gout, and malaria, among others. 

5. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha: Dr. Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician and public health advocate known for her research exposing the Flint water crisis’s impact on children’s health. Her work led to increased awareness and efforts to improve water quality and healthcare access in underserved communities. 

6. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett: Dr. Corbett is a viral immunologist who played a key role in developing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Her research has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of coronaviruses and vaccine development, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

7. Dr. Susan Love: Dr. Love is a prominent breast cancer surgeon and researcher known for her advocacy for breast cancer research and patient-centered care. She founded the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, dedicated to advancing breast cancer research and education. 

8. Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath: Dr. McMurry-Heath is a physician and biochemist who currently serves as the President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). She is a leading advocate for advancing biotechnology innovation to address global health challenges. 

9. Dr. Laurie Glimcher: Dr. Glimcher is a renowned immunologist and geneticist known for her research on the immune system and its role in diseases such as cancer. She has made significant contributions to our understanding of immune responses and has held leadership positions at several prestigious research institutions. 

These women, among many others, have left an incredible mark on the field of healthcare, inspiring future generations of women to pursue careers in medicine, research, and public health. Their stories serve as a testament to the power of perseverance, courage, and compassion in the face of adversity.

 

Our Team of Women Currently Contributing to Advances in Healthcare

At Cedar Health Research we are proud of our amazing physicians who are making their own waves in the field of medicine: 

Michele Reynolds M.D: Dr. Michele Reynolds offers over 20 years of clinical research experience as a Principal Investigator. In her time in research, she has conducted more than 400 trials across diverse therapeutics through general medicine.  

Irene Arroyo, DPM: Dr. Arroyo is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, the Texas Podiatric Medical Association, and the American Podiatric Medical Association. She supports the Cedar Health Research Team as an Investigator of Podiatry. She enjoys staying abreast of the latest knowledge and research in her field and is fluent in both English and Spanish. 

Sapna Chilka M.D: Dr. Chilka is board certified in internal medicine and boasts an impressive academic record that includes being consistently ranked at the top of her medical school class. As a seasoned internal medicine researcher, Dr. Chilka’s trial experience spans multiple areas including diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and hot flashes. 

Sooyeon Choi, M.D.: Dr. Choi is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and specializes in women’s health, urogynecology and general medicine. Her passion for women’s health led her get involved in clinical research to help advance treatments for female-related health conditions. Dr. Choi has been a Principal Investigator in a variety of trials in women’s health, oncology, and infectious diseases. 

Madhuri Devdhar, M.D.: Dr. Madhuri Devdhar is double board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology. She has an extensive background in research with studies conducted on obesity, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. She also has several publications contributing to research in these therapeutic areas. 

Swati Johnson, D.O.: Dr. Johnson is a specialized pediatrics and neonatologist medical provider. As a Principal Investigator, she has led clinical trials in the areas of pediatric migraine, COVID-19 vaccines, meningitis vaccine, constipation, and autism spectrum disorder. 

Kat Pham, M.D.: Dr. Pham completed her medical education at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth and furthered her expertise through a residency in OB/GYN at Texas Tech University Health Science Center in Lubbock. In addition, her background is in Molecular Biology, which she acquired during her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Dallas, adds depth to her medical knowledge. 

Janelle Watts M.D.: Dr. Jenelle Watts is a board-certified physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. As principal investigator at Cedar Health Research, Dr. Watts brings over 30 years of experience and expertise. Dr. Watts is a recognized physician leader, including being a North Texas Physician Perinatal Committee Member and Credentials Committee Member/Co-Chair/Chair at Medical City Plano. 

We are thankful for all the women in healthcare who are and will continue to pour their dedication into the future of medicine. Happy Women’s History Month from Cedar Health Research! 

 

 

 

 

Sources: 

• “Elizabeth Blackwell.” National Women’s History Museum, www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/elizabeth-blackwell. 
• “Florence Nightingale.” Florence Nightingale Museum, www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/. 
• “Rebecca Lee Crumpler.” National Library of Medicine, www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/aframsurgeons/crumpler.html. 
• “Virginia Apgar.” American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Apgar-Virginia.aspx. 
• “Helen Brooke Taussig.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heart_vascular_institute/clinical_services/centers_excellence/womens_cardiovascular_health_center/patient_information/health_topics/helen_brooke_taussig.html. 
• “Gertrude B. Elion.” Nobel Prize, www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1988/elion/biographical/. 
• “Rosalind Franklin.” National Institutes of Health, history.nih.gov/exhibits/nobel/medicine/franklin.html.