Born: 1898 (Southport, North Carolina)
Biography:
Margaret Dorothea Craighill was born on October 16, 1898, in Southport, North Carolina. She came from a family with a strong military background, as her grandfather, Brigadier General William Price Craighill, and her father, Colonel William E. Craighill, both graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Following in their footsteps, Margaret embarked on her own remarkable journey.
Craighill received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Science (MS) degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1921. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to work as a physiologist in the Chemical Warfare Department of the United States Army at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland. Eager to expand her skills and contribute further, she enrolled at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and obtained her Doctor of Medicine (MD) in 1924.
Throughout the 1920s, Craighill dedicated herself to gaining practical experience and honing her expertise in various medical institutions. From 1925 to 1926, she served as an Assistant Instructor of Pathology at Yale University. Subsequently, she transitioned to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where she worked as an assistant resident of Gynecology until 1928. Seeking to broaden her horizons, she joined Bellevue Hospital in New York City as an assistant surgeon under the guidance of Dr. J. A. McCreery.
In addition to her hospital roles, Craighill engaged in private practice in Greenwich, Connecticut. She held the positions of an attending gynecologist and an assistant surgeon at Greenwich Hospital. Her commitment and competence garnered recognition, and she remained at Bellevue and Greenwich until 1937.
In 1940, Craighill assumed the role of Dean at the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMC) in Philadelphia. At WMC, she spearheaded significant reforms in the curriculum, student-faculty relations, and the teaching hospital. Her progressive vision for the institution aimed to elevate women’s medical education and ensure that their contributions were valued and supported.
However, Craighill’s calling extended beyond academia. In 1943, she temporarily stepped away from her position at WMC to serve her country during World War II. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt implemented the Sparkman-Johnson Bill, which allowed women to enlist in the Army and Navy Medical Corps, Craighill eagerly seized the opportunity. On May 28, 1943, she made history by becoming the first woman commissioned officer in the United States Army Medical Corps.
During her military service, Craighill exemplified dedication and excellence. She utilized her extensive knowledge and skills to provide essential medical support during the war. Her invaluable contributions earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues.
After the war, Craighill continued to make a significant impact on the medical field. She directed her expertise towards working with the Veterans Administration, assisting and improving the healthcare services provided to veterans. Her compassionate and detail-oriented approach aided in addressing the unique healthcare needs of those who had served their country.
Margaret D. Craighill’s illustrious career spanned academia, clinical practice, and military service. Her determination, intelligence, and commitment to her craft blazed a trail for future generations of women in medicine. She broke barriers, shattered glass ceilings, and left an indelible mark on the field of healthcare.