Born: 1916 (Costa Rica)
Died: 2010
Biography:
Anita V. Figueredo (August 24, 1916 – February 19, 2010) was an American surgeon and philanthropist, the first woman medical doctor from Costa Rica and the first woman surgeon to practice in San Diego, California. She was posthumously inducted into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame in 2015.
Early life and education
Figueredo was born in Costa Rica, the daughter of Roberto Figueredo, a well-known Cuban-born soccer player. She was raised by her mother, Sarita Villegas, in Spanish Harlem after they immigrated in 1921. She showed an early aptitude for academics and was granted a full scholarship to attend Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart at the age of 15. Figueredo excelled in her studies and graduated in 1936.
Figueredo’s passion for medicine led her to become one of the four women admitted to Long Island Medical College in her year. During World War II, while many male medical students were serving in the military, Figueredo became one of the first two women surgical residents at Memorial Hospital for Cancer in New York. Not only did she break barriers as a woman in the medical field, but she was also the first woman from Costa Rica to earn a medical degree.
Career
Figueredo’s career took her to Southern California, where she spent the majority of her career as a surgical oncologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital. She became the first woman surgeon in San Diego and was known for her remarkable surgical skills, despite being under five feet in height. To compensate for her height, she would often stand on a stool during surgeries.
Beyond her medical practice, Figueredo was a dedicated philanthropist. In 1982, she co-founded Friends of the Poor, a charity focused on providing food, clothing, and medical care to underserved communities. The organization initially began its work in Baja California but eventually expanded its projects to three continents.
Figueredo’s philanthropic efforts also extended to her close association with Mother Teresa. In the 1950s, she began a long and committed relationship with the revered humanitarian. Additionally, Figueredo served as a founding board member of the San Diego College for Women and supported the San Diego Women’s Bank.
In recognition of her exceptional service work, Figueredo received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, a papal medal, from Pope Pius XII in 1954. She also served as a trustee of the La Jolla Town Council from 1956 to 1968. In 2009, she was honored with Scripps Memorial Hospital’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her impressive contributions to the field of medicine.
Personal life
In 1942, Anita Figueredo married her fellow doctor, William J. Doyle. They enjoyed a loving and fulfilling marriage for 58 years until Doyle’s passing in 1999. Together, they raised nine children, six of whom survived her.
Anita Figueredo passed away in 2010 at the age of 93 due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Her inspiring dedication to medicine, philanthropy, and breaking gender barriers continues to inspire generations. In recognition of her remarkable achievements, she was posthumously inducted into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame, solidifying her enduring impact on society and her invaluable contributions to women’s history.
Awards:
– Posthumous induction into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame in 2015
– Pope Pius XII’s Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice papal medal in 1954
– Scripps Memorial Hospital’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009