Contents
Virginia Apgar
Creating the Apgar score used to assess newborn babies immediately after birth.
Apgar score · Obstetric anaesthesia research
- Born
- 7 June 1909
- Birthplace
- Westfield, United States
- Died
- 7 August 1974
More people
Virginia Apgar
American anaesthesiologist who gave delivery teams a quick, consistent way to assess a newborn’s condition. She later devoted her career to public health and birth-defect research.
Early life
Science and music
Grew up in New Jersey and played string instruments while studying zoology at Mount Holyoke.
Medical training
Graduated from Columbia’s medical school in 1933 and trained in surgery before moving into anaesthesia.
Career
- 1938
Columbia leadership
Became director of the university’s division of anaesthesia.
- 1949
Full professor
Became the first woman full professor at Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons.
- 1952–1953
Newborn assessment
Presented and published her scoring method.
- 1959
Public health
Joined the organization now known as the March of Dimes after earning a public-health master’s degree.
Contributions
Apgar score
A standardized assessment of five signs of a newborn’s condition.
Obstetric anaesthesia research
Investigated how anaesthetics given during labour affected babies.
Is My Baby All Right?
Co-authored a book for parents with Joan Beck.
Beyond medicine
Instrument maker
Played violin and cello and learned to build string instruments.
Public advocacy
Used talks, fundraising and education to bring attention to birth defects.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Institutional biography and research ↗Photo: March of Dimes. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
