Born: 1902 (Scranton, Iowa)
Died: 1994 (Dallas, Texas)
Biography:
Ruth Jackson (December 13, 1902 – August 28, 1994) was the first female board-certified orthopedic surgeon in the United States and the first female admitted to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Ruth Jackson was born on a farm near Scranton, Iowa on December 13, 1902. At the age of 14, she moved to Dallas, Texas with her family. Despite facing numerous challenges and societal barriers, Jackson made groundbreaking advancements in the field of orthopedic surgery.
After completing high school, Jackson initially planned to pursue premedical instruction at the University of Texas at Austin. However, her father disapproved and she ended up majoring in sociology. It was during her time as a sociology major that she learned about a father who was unable to support his family due to a bad knee. This incident motivated Jackson to prevent such instances in the future and she changed her major to premedicine.
In 1924, Ruth Jackson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. She then went on to earn her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1928. Jackson was one of only four women in a class of over 100 students. However, her journey in the male-dominated field of medicine was far from easy.
As a medical student, Jackson faced many obstacles. She was not allowed to examine male patients and was informed during orientation that female students would need to achieve grades 10 points higher than their male counterparts in order to graduate with equal standing. Despite these challenges, Jackson graduated 8th in her class of 1928.
Following her graduation, Ruth Jackson’s dream of becoming a general surgeon was hindered by the lack of available internships for women in this field. However, she didn’t let this setback deter her. In 1928, she secured a rotating internship at Worcester Massachusetts Memorial Hospital and later continued her residency in orthopedics at the University of Iowa, under the guidance of Dr. Arthur Steindler.
In 1931, Jackson served as a resident physician at the Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in Dallas, Texas. After completing her residency in 1932, she opened her own private practice in Dallas.
The year 1933 marked a significant milestone in Ruth Jackson’s career. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons was founded, and Jackson became determined to be a part of this prestigious organization. However, she faced a major obstacle—she could only be admitted if she passed the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery examination, which at that time had never been attempted by a woman. Undeterred, Jackson studied relentlessly and successfully passed the examination in 1937, becoming the first female board-certified orthopedic surgeon in the United States.
Following this achievement, Jackson joined the staff at Baylor University Hospital in 1939. She quickly rose through the ranks and became the chief of the non-school orthopedic service at Parkland Hospital, where she also established the hospital’s first orthopedic residency program. With her vast knowledge and exceptional surgical skills, Jackson made significant contributions to the field of orthopedic surgery.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ruth Jackson also faced personal challenges. She married, but after two years, she chose to divorce in order to focus on her work and pursue her passion for orthopedic surgery.
Throughout her career, Ruth Jackson served as an inspiration and role model for aspiring female surgeons. Her unwavering dedication to her patients and commitment to breaking down gender barriers in medicine laid the foundation for future generations of women in the field. She paved the way for countless women to pursue their dreams in orthopedic surgery and made a lasting impact on the medical community.
Ruth Jackson passed away on August 28, 1994, at the age of 91, in the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Her legacy as a trailblazer in orthopedic surgery and her contributions to women’s history will forever be remembered.
Awards:
– Board-certified by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 1937.