Dossibai Patell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dossibai Patell
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Dossibai Patell, c. 1912.
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Dossibai Rustomji Cowasji Patell
16 October 1881 Navsara Chambers, Fort Bombay
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| Died | 4 February 1960 (aged 78) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Grant Medical College |
| Known for | First woman to become Member of the RCS in 1910 |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Physician |
| Sub-specialties | Obstetrics and gynaecology |
Dossibai Rustomji Cowasji Patell (MBE, MRCP), born on October 16, 1881, and passing away on February 4, 1960, was a pioneering Indian doctor. She specialized in obstetrics (caring for women during pregnancy and childbirth) and gynaecology (dealing with women's reproductive health).
In 1910, she made history by becoming the first woman to be a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS). This was a huge step forward for women in medicine!
After her first medical training in India, she spent six years studying in London. There, she earned several important medical degrees, including her MD.
When she returned to India, she dedicated her career to helping women and children. She worked hard to create centers that supported mothers and babies. She also pushed for ways to reduce the number of babies who died young. Dossibai Patell was a leader in many medical groups, even becoming president of the Bombay Obstetric and Gynaecological Society.
To honor her amazing work, there is a special talk given in her memory called the Dossibai J. R. Dadabhoy oration.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Dossibai Patell was born on October 16, 1881, into a wealthy Parsi family. The Parsi community is a group of people in India who follow the Zoroastrian religion.
She grew up in Navsara Chambers, a part of Fort Bombay (now Mumbai), India. For her early schooling, she attended the Miss Moos School for Girls in Bombay.
In 1903, Dossibai finished her medical training at Grant Medical College in Bombay. She earned her Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery there. After this, she worked with other doctors in Bombay. She then convinced her parents to let her travel abroad to continue her studies.
Breaking Barriers in London
Dossibai Patell spent four years studying at the Royal Free Hospital in London. This hospital was also home to the London School of Medicine for Women.
In May 1910, she achieved something remarkable. She became the first woman to become a member (MRCS) of the Royal College of Surgeons. This happened just four years after women were even allowed to take the MRCS exam! In the same year, she also became the first woman to get a licentiate (LRCP) from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
She continued her studies, earning a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB BS) from the University of London in 1910. In 1911, she became a member of the RCP. This was only three years after women were allowed to take its exam.
In 1912, she earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She was the first Indian woman to achieve this high medical qualification.
A Career Dedicated to Health
When Dossibai returned to India in 1912, she began her career in women's health. She became known as Dossibai Jehangir Ratenshaw Dadabhoy after she married. She was especially interested in serious women's health issues. She was even the first person in India to own and use radium, which was a new treatment at the time.
In 1924, she gave a presentation about why so many babies were dying. She believed that more than two-thirds of these deaths could be prevented. She strongly asked for actions to reduce these sad losses. She also cared deeply about mothers' health. She pushed for pregnant women to have medical care throughout their pregnancy and childbirth. She also wanted to create centers to help mothers and children.
During the Second World War, she helped out by serving in the Bombay Branch of the Indian Red Cross Society. For her important work, she was awarded the MBE on January 1, 1941.
She helped start the Bombay Obstetric and Gynaecological Society. She served as its secretary and later became its president. She worked hard to set up similar societies all over India. These groups eventually came together to form the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India, and she became its president too.
In 1955, she led the eighth All India Obstetrics and Gynaecological Congress. From 1937 to 1947, she was president of the Association of Medical Women in India. During this time, she also served on the Bhore Committee, which worked on improving health in India.
She was also an honorary consulting surgeon at the Cama Hospital and other hospitals. Dossibai Dadabhoy was the first Indian woman to be chosen as a Fellow of the University of Bombay. She was also made a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) in Bombay, which meant she had the authority to perform certain legal duties.
Legacy and Remembrance
Dossibai Patell passed away on February 4, 1960. Her contributions to medicine and women's health are still remembered today. A special lecture, known as an oration, is given in her memory.
In 2018, Dossibai Patell was featured in an exhibition by the Royal College of Physicians. The exhibition, called "This Vexed Question: 500 years of women in medicine," celebrated the history of women in the medical field.
