These women, Dr Anandabai Joshee, Dr Kei Okami, and Dr Tabat Islambouly from India, Japan, and Syria, were students at the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and some of the first female physicians in their respective countries.
This photograph was taken on October 10th, 1885.
137 years later, we wanted to learn more about these pioneering doctors and the photograph that has intrigued millions worldwide as it continues to circulate the internet.
Dr Anandabai Joshee or Dr Anandi Gopal Joshi
Dr Anandabai Gopal Joshee (31 March 1865 – 26 February 1887) was one of the first Indian female doctors of Western medicine and one of the first to graduate from an American University.
As was common at that time, her mother married her at nine to Gopalrao Joshee, who was a widower and twenty years her senior.
Gopalrao Joshee was progressive for his time and supported his wife's dream to study medicine. He even wrote a letter to Royal Wilder, a renowned American missionary, stating his wife's interest in studying medicine in the United States and inquiring about a suitable post in the US for himself.
In the 1800s, it was not the norm for husbands to focus on their wives' education, but Gopalrao defied this and was passionate about Anandibai's education.
At the age of 10, Anandibai lost her child due to the lack of medical care in India, and it was this that inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. Anandibai believed that one of the reasons so many women and children lost their lives during childbirth was because societal norms caused them to decline the care of male gynaecologists.
This devastating experience prompted Dr Anandibai's famous address to the community at Serampore College Hall. She urged that there was a need for female doctors in India, as female doctors could best serve other females. She told them that she wanted to travel to America and get a medical degree. After her speech, financial aid started coming in from all over India.
Anandibai wrote to the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the second women's medical program in the world.
The dean of the college enrolled her, and Anandibai began her medical training in America at age 19. She graduated with an MD in March 1886.
In late 1886, Anandibai returned to India, where she received a grand welcome. She was appointed as the physician-in-charge of the female ward of the local Albert Edward Hospital. The next year, on 26 February 1887, she died of tuberculosis. She was greatly mourned.
Dr Kei Okami
Dr Kei Okami (11 September 1859 – 2 September 1941) was a Japanese physician specialising in gynaecology and tuberculosis. Like Anandibai, she attended the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania in America.
After four years of study, she graduated in 1889, becoming one of the first Japanese women to obtain a degree in Western medicine from an American university.
After returning to Japan, Dr Kei Okami initially worked at the Jikei Hospital, but she resigned because the Emperor refused her care for the sole reason that she was female. After this, she opened her own clinic, operating out of her home in Akasaka Tameike, Minato. This made her not only one of the first Japanese women to become a doctor but also one of the first to start her own practice.
Dr Tabat M Islambouly
Dr Tabat M Islambouly (AKA Sabat M. Islambouli, Sabat Islambooly, Tabat Istanbuli, Thabat Islambooly) (1867 – 1941) was one of Syria's first Kurdish female physicians. She was born to a Kurdish-Jewish family.
Like Anandibai and Kei, Tabat studied at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in the United States of America. She graduated with her medical degree in 1890.
Of the three pioneering female physicians, Tabat's life is the most shrouded by mystery. According to the college's alumnae list, she is believed to have returned to Damascus after she graduated and then to Cairo in 1919.
After that, the college lost touch with her. Little is known of what happened to her once she left the United States, but it is noted that she died in 1941.
These three doctors challenged the gender norms of their time, revolutionising the healthcare profession in each of their respective countries. It is no wonder that this ancient photograph is still intriguing audiences over a hundred years on.
Women in medicine have faced countless obstacles throughout history, but despite these challenges, they have risen to the occasion and made significant strides in the field. By recognising and celebrating inspirational female doctors, we not only honour their achievements but also inspire future generations of women to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in medicine and beyond. In no particular order we salute and celebrate the incredible modern day female doctors who continue to inspire us and make a positive impact on the world.
Dr Skye Kinder
Skye is an inspirational advocate for rural and marginalised patients and their communities.
With a background in mental health, she combines her clinical work with writing and speaking, earning her recognition as an award-winning health commentator.
Skye was named to Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 for social impact across the Asia Pacific region, showcasing her dedication and impact in the field. Her advocacy work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named the 2019 Victorian Young Australian of the Year, one of the AFR's 100 Women of Influence in 2020, and Victoria's Junior Doctor of the Year in 2017. These awards recognise her tireless efforts to improve the health of people in rural and regional communities.
Growing up in a lower socio-economic background, Dr Kinder has overcome adversity to become the positive role model and advocate she is today. Her dedication to making a difference in the lives of marginalised groups serves as an inspiration to us all.
Dr Mariam Chaalan
Mariam is a dedicated family doctor, clinical researcher, and mother to rainbow twin boys. With a personal experience of sexism and burnout within the profession, she has a strong passion for caring for women and young families. Committed to evidence-based preventative medicine, she strives to provide comprehensive, holistic care to all her patients.
On top of her clinical work, Dr Chaalan leverages her social media platform (@ask.the.dr) to share up-to-date, evidence-based medical information with the online community. She is dedicated to making accurate and accessible health information available to everyone, furthering her mission of providing the best possible care to her patients.
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Dr Nina Su
Nina is a dedicated Paediatric Medicine trainee practicing in Tāmaki Makarau, Auckland.
With a strong commitment to equity and a passion for serving the most vulnerable individuals, she has made this a core driver of her work.
In addition to her clinical practice, Nina hosts the "Revolving Door Syndrome" podcast. Each episode focuses on the challenges faced by everyday New Zealanders in the areas of health, education, and justice. Through this platform, she strives to shed light on these critical issues and drive positive change.
This year she will be running for MP in the Epsom Electorate for the Opportunities Party.
Dr Preeya Alexander
Preeya is a highly accomplished General Practitioner based in Melbourne. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Her areas of expertise include women's health, children's health, preconception care, and preventative medicine. Her efforts in this area have earned her recognition, including the 2015 Richard Clinton Gutch Medal for the highest overall score in general practice exams in Victoria.
Aside from her clinical work, Preeya is passionate about educating the public on accurate health information. With over 74K followers on social media, she uses her platform to dispel health misinformation and make complex medical topics accessible to everyone.
She is a sought-after expert in the media, appearing on Sunrise, hosting two episodes of Catalyst on ABC, and appearing regularly on The Drum. She also contributes to online publications such as Mamamia, balancing her passion for medicine with her role as an educator and influencer.
When not working, she is a proud mother of two and enjoys gardening, cooking, and travelling, she is also fluent in Hindi. She is the author of the children's book "Rainbow Plate" and soon to be released (May 2023) "Eat Sleep Play Love" - all the medical titbits parents need for the first 2 years of their child's life.
Dr Tahnee Bridson
Tahnee's upbringing in a remote town in Far North Queensland exposed her to the difficulties of accessing medical care in rural areas. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. During her medical studies, one of Tahnee's mentors took their own life, prompting her to try and help other healthcare professionals and medical students who might be silently suffering from similar issues.
Now an advocate for mental health and wellbeing, Tahnee is the founder of Hand-n-Hand Peer Support, which is a free and confidential peer support network for health workers in Australia and in New Zealand. She was recently awarded the 2022 Queensland Young Australian of the year and featured on Forbes 30 Under 30.
Dr Kirby White
Dr Kirby White is a remarkable Australian physician and inventor who practices as a General Practitioner in Bendigo. Her contributions to the medical community during the COVID-19 pandemic earned her recognition as Victoria's "Local Hero" and a nominee for the 2021 Australian of the Year awards. To honor her efforts, Mattel even created a "Dr. Kirby White" Barbie doll.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Kirby recognised the impending shortage of disposable gowns and quickly took action. She launched the initiative "Gowns for Doctors" and raised over $40,000 through crowdfunding to create reusable, launderable hospital gowns. With the help of commercial textile companies and volunteers, she was able to produce thousands of gowns, providing essential protective gear for healthcare workers.
Dr Vanessa Sammons
Dr Vanessa Sammons is a highly skilled Neurosurgeon based in Australia, with a focus on Peripheral Nerve Surgery. She graduated with honors from the University of Sydney and was awarded with the Hinder Memorial Prize for Surgery.
Following her Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Vanessa continued her education at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Canada, where she received subspecialty training in Peripheral Nerve Surgery under the mentorship of the world-renowned Dr Rajiv Midha.
As a member of several professional organisations, including the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, the Women in Surgery Section of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the International Association of Women Surgeons, the American Society of Peripheral Nerve, and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Vanessa is dedicated to advancing her field and sharing her knowledge with others.
Aside from her surgical practice, Vanessa is a mother of two, a dancer, a yoga teacher, and a travel enthusiast.
Medworld Institute has been lucky enough to tell the stories of exceptional female physicians from all over the globe who are making this world a better place and inspiring future generations.
This article was originally published on International Women's Day 2023.
