Esther Pohl Lovejoy

Esther Pohl Lovejoy (November 16, 1869 – August 31, 1967) was an American physician, public health pioneer, and women's rights advocate. She was the first woman to be appointed to the position of health officer in a major U.S. city, and she played a significant role in the development of public health systems in the United States and internationally.

Early Life and Education

Esther Pohl was born in Seabeck, Washington, in 1869. She moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1886, where she attended the University of Oregon Medical School. She graduated in 1894 and began practicing medicine in Portland.

Career

In 1907, Lovejoy was appointed the city health officer for Portland, becoming the first woman to hold such a position in a major U.S. city. During her tenure, she implemented a number of public health reforms, including the establishment of a milk inspection program and the enforcement of sanitary regulations in restaurants and other public places.

In 1912, Lovejoy helped to found the American Women's Hospitals Service (AWHS), an organization that provided medical care to women and children in war-torn regions. She served as the director of the AWHS for over 50 years.

Legacy

Lovejoy's contributions to public health and women's rights have been widely recognized. In 1957, she was awarded the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal by the American Medical Women's Association. The University of Oregon Medical School established the Esther Pohl Lovejoy Lecture in her honor in 1962.

External Links

• Esther Pohl Lovejoy at The Oregon Encyclopedia
• Esther Pohl Lovejoy at the National Library of Medicine

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Esther Pohl Lovejoy

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  Esther Pohl Lovejoy and Emil Pohl

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  American Women's Hospitals personnel in 1918