Authors: Maddie Reese, Meg Boren, Emma Sellers, Sheri Tesseyman
Mentors: Sheri Tesseyman
Insitution: Brigham Young University
Maddie Reese, Meg Boren, Emma Sellers, Sheri Tesseyman
“Utah Women in Medicine,” pioneering physicians
Introduction
Utah leaders made efforts to promote female physicians early in its establishment. In a newly flourishing territory, men needed to work the land, hence the push for women to become physicians. The purpose of this research was to understand the significance of Utah women in medicine and their role in shaping the development of nursing practice.
Methods
This study draws on secondary material about women physicians in early Utah, American medical and nursing education, Utah history, and nursing and healthcare among Latter-Day Saint women. The results of the study are based on historical analysis of primary materials including 19th-century periodicals published in Utah including the Women’s Exponent and the Relief Society Magazine, personal papers, and memoirs.
Outcomes and implications
The pioneering contributions of early Utah women in medicine, including Romania B. Pratt Penrose and Ellis Reynolds Shipp, had profound implications. They established medical practices and educational programs, training numerous women in nursing and midwifery. Their work contributed to elevating the status of medicine and midwifery in Utah. Moreover, their collaboration resulted in the creation of the groundbreaking "Deseret Hospital" in 1882, accommodating patients and serving as a training center for midwives and nurses. Their enduring legacy lies in their commitment to education, innovation, and compassionate care, shaping the healthcare landscape in Utah.