What do you know about the Apgar score? Dr. Virginia Apgar, a trailblazing figure in medicine, was a game-changer in neonatal care. From her early days growing up in New Jersey to becoming a leading obstetric anesthesiologist, Virginia’s life was nothing short of impactful. Her innovative approach during deliveries led to the development of the Apgar Score, transforming how newborn health is assessed worldwide. Join us as we explore the life and legacy of this remarkable woman who revolutionized modern healthcare!
Feminist Corner:
- What is one pearl you can take away from Virginia Apgar’s story?
Listen to the episode, discuss these questions with friends and family, let us know what you think!
Show Notes:
Early Life and Education
- – Virginia Apgar was born on June 7, 1909, in Westfield, New Jersey. Her father, Charles, was a businessman and inventor, while her mother, Helen, dedicated herself to raising Ginny and her siblings.
- – Despite early family challenges due to illnesses like TB and polio affecting her brothers, Apgar’s family instilled a love for education and curiosity in her.
- – She pursued her passion for medicine after graduating from high school, eventually obtaining scholarships to attend Mount Holyoke College, where she studied zoology and performed in the college orchestra.
- – Post-graduation in 1929, she embarked on her medical journey at Columbia University in New York during the Great Depression, facing gender disparities in medicine but excelling nonetheless.
Anesthesia Innovations
- – Initially pursuing surgery, Apgar pivoted to anesthesia at the advice of her mentor, Allen Whipple, despite societal biases against women in the field.
- – Facing challenges in establishing herself in anesthesia, Apgar became a trailblazer, leading to her appointment as the first woman full professor at Columbia University in 1949.
- – Her groundbreaking work in obstetric anesthesia led to her observation of newborns’ health, ultimately inspiring the creation of the Apgar Score—a game-changing tool in neonatal care.
The Apgar Score
- – Apgar’s score revolutionized neonatal care by providing a standardized assessment of newborn health within the first minutes of life, based on appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.
- – Her collaboration with colleagues Duncan Holaday and Stanley James paved the way for the score’s widespread adoption and its integration into neonatal care practices worldwide.
Legacy and Beyond
- – Beyond her contributions to medicine, Apgar was a multifaceted individual, pursuing interests in stamp collecting, music, and even learning to fly a plane in her 50s.
- – Despite her passing in 1974, Dr. Apgar’s impact lives on, with the Apgar Score remaining a cornerstone of neonatal care, revolutionizing how we assess and care for newborns.
Sources:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2015). The Apgar Score. ACOG Committee Opinion. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/10/the-apgar-score
Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Virginia Apgar. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Virginia-Apgar
Gupta, R. (2018). The Apgar Score. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6056375/
March of Dimes. (n.d.). Virginia Apgar, MD. March of Dimes. https://www.marchofdimes.org/about-us/mission/history/virginia-apgar-md
National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Apgar, Virginia. Changing the Face of Medicine. https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_12.html
NewYork-Presbyterian. (n.d.). Virginia Apgar, MD, MPH (1909–1974). Health Matters. https://healthmatters.nyp.org/apgar-score/
PBS. (n.d.). Apgar, Virginia (1909-1974). They Made America. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/apgar_hi.html
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