Fe del Mundo
Fe del Mundo
Fe del Mundo (pronounced: /fe del mundo/; November 27, 1911 – August 6, 2011) was a Filipino pediatrician and the first woman admitted as a student of the Harvard Medical School, going on to found the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines. Her pioneering work in pediatrics in the Philippines while in active medical practice spanned eight decades.
Etymology
The name "Fe del Mundo" translates to "Faith of the World" in Spanish. "Fe" is a common first name for women in the Philippines, and "del Mundo" is a Spanish surname meaning "of the World".
Early Life and Education
Fe del Mundo was born in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, on November 27, 1911. She was the sixth of eight children. After the death of her older sister, she decided to pursue a career in medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine in 1933.
In 1936, she was offered a full scholarship to any school in the United States for further training in a medical field of her choice by President Manuel L. Quezon. She chose to go to Harvard Medical School, becoming the first woman to be admitted there.
Career
After completing her studies, del Mundo returned to the Philippines, where she opened a small dispensary in Manila in 1941. This dispensary later became the Fe del Mundo Medical Center, the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines.
Throughout her career, del Mundo conducted pioneering research into infectious diseases in children and was a driving force in promoting public health in the Philippines. She was also instrumental in the establishment of the first Intensive Care Unit for newborns in the Philippines.
Legacy
Fe del Mundo's contributions to pediatric medicine and the health of children in the Philippines have been widely recognized. She received numerous awards and honors, including the Elizabeth Blackwell Award for outstanding service to mankind and the Ramon Magsaysay Award for public service.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fe del Mundo
- Wikipedia's article - Fe del Mundo
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