Stopping at the Southern JP Health Center we can talk about 2 female medical pioneers who lived and worked in this area. Both are also buried in Forest Hills Cemetery.
Dr. Marie Zakrzewska (1829-1902) immigrated from Germany seeing the opportunity to become a medical doctor in the United States. After working with America's first female doctors (the Blackwell sisters) in New York, she founded the New England Hospital for Women and Children in 1862. This was the first hospital run by women for women in New England and the first to combine gynecology, obstetrics, and pediatrics under one roof. "Dr Zak" was also involved in other progressive causes like the woman suffrage movement. She was active in the New England Women’s Club and its many social efforts.
Her home was located at 5 Peter Parley Rd.
Dr. Susan Dimock (1847-1875) Susan was among the first female doctors in the United States recognized as a surgeon. She came north from North Carolina based on an invitation from Dr. Zak. The New England Hospital for Women & Children (now known as the Dimock Center) sent her to Zurich for further medical training. Upon her return, Susan was pioneering in her surgical work in the years she worked there. She also started the first professional nursing school in the United States. Tragically, she died at the age of 28 in a shipwreck.
Quote
“It was my determination to prove to the
profession, as well as the laity, that a
woman has not only the same (if not
more) physical endurance as a man,
while I thus created a good foundation
of respect for women physicians.”— DR. ZAK
