Fe del Mundo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fe del Mundo
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Fé Primitiva del Mundo y Villanueva
27 November 1911 Intramuros, Manila, Philippine Islands
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| Died | 7 August 2011 (aged 99) |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Manila Boston University |
| Occupation | Pediatrician |
| Known for | National Scientist of the Philippines |
Fe Villanueva del Mundo (born Fé Primitiva del Mundo y Villanueva; November 27, 1911 – August 6, 2011) was a famous Filipina doctor. She was a pediatrician, a doctor who specializes in caring for children. Dr. Del Mundo is celebrated for starting the first hospital just for kids in the Philippines. She also helped create the modern way children's healthcare works in the country.
Her important work in children's medicine lasted for 80 years! She received many awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1977. In 1980, she was given the special title of National Scientist of the Philippines. She was the first woman to earn this honor. Dr. Del Mundo was also the first female president of the Philippine Pediatric Society.
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Early Life and Education
Fe del Mundo was born in Intramuros, Manila, on November 27, 1911. She was one of eight children. Her father, Bernardo del Mundo, was a lawyer. He even served in the Philippine Assembly.
Sadly, three of her younger siblings died when they were babies. Her older sister, Elisa, died at age 11 from appendicitis. Elisa had always wanted to become a doctor to help poor people. This inspired Fe to choose a career in medicine. She wanted to help others, just like her sister wished to do.
In 1926, Fe del Mundo started studying at the UP College of Medicine. She graduated in 1933 with her medical degree. She was the top student in her class! After passing her medical exam, she decided to focus on pediatrics. She saw many sick children in the provinces and wanted to help them.
Advanced Studies in Medicine
After graduating, the President of the Philippines, Manuel Quezon, offered to pay for her to study more. She could go to any school in the United States.
Dr. Del Mundo went to Boston to continue her studies in pediatrics. She spent three years at the Children’s Hospital in Boston. She also studied at Harvard Medical School and the Boston University School of Medicine. In 1940, she earned a master's degree in bacteriology. Bacteriology is the study of tiny living things called bacteria.
Medical Practice and Helping Others
Dr. Del Mundo returned to the Philippines in 1941. This was just before the Japanese invasion. She joined the International Red Cross. She volunteered to care for children held in a camp for foreign nationals. She set up a small hospital inside the camp. Because of her brave work, people called her "The Angel of Santo Tomas."
In 1943, the mayor of Manila asked her to lead a children's hospital. This hospital later became the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Del Mundo was the director there until 1948.
She also taught at the University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University. She led the Department of Pediatrics at Far Eastern University for over 20 years. During this time, she started the Children's Medical Center Foundation in 1957. She also opened her own small clinic. She even created the Institute of Maternal and Child Health. This place trained doctors and nurses.
Building a Children's Hospital
Dr. Del Mundo wanted to build her own hospital just for children. She was tired of the rules at government hospitals. To make her dream come true, she sold her home and many of her belongings. She also got a big loan.
In 1957, the Children's Medical Center opened in Quezon City. It had 107 beds and was the first hospital just for kids in the Philippines. In 1966, she added an Institute of Maternal and Child Health. This was the first of its kind in Asia.
In 1958, Dr. Del Mundo gave ownership of the hospital to a group of trustees. She lived on the second floor of the Children's Medical Center. She continued to visit patients every morning until she was 99 years old!
Reaching Rural Areas
When she started the Children's Medical Center Foundation in 1957, she wanted to help Filipinos in rural areas. These areas often had little or no access to healthcare. Her foundation saved thousands of children. They helped with family planning and treated common health problems. These included poor nutrition and dehydration.
Later Life and Legacy
Dr. Del Mundo continued to practice medicine even when she was in her 90s. She passed away on August 6, 2011, after a heart attack. She was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, a cemetery for heroes.
Dr. Fe del Mundo changed medicine in the Philippines forever. She made many important discoveries in pediatrics. This included work on immunizations and treating jaundice. She also made healthcare available to many poor families.
Research and Discoveries
Dr. Del Mundo was known for her important work on infectious diseases. These are diseases that can spread easily. She studied diseases common in the Philippines, like dengue fever. In the 1950s, not much was known about dengue. Her studies helped doctors understand how dengue affects young people.
She wrote over a hundred articles and reports for medical journals. These were about diseases like dengue, polio, and measles. She also wrote the Textbook of Pediatrics. This is a basic medical book used in Philippine medical schools.
Dr. Del Mundo also cared a lot about public health. She especially wanted to help people in rural areas. She created teams to visit villages and teach mothers about breastfeeding and child care. She believed doctors and nurses should work closely with communities. This would help with health programs like immunization and nutrition. She also thought midwives should be more involved in healthcare. They are often the first health workers people see in rural areas. She also supported family planning.
Bamboo Incubator
Dr. Del Mundo also invented a special incubator. It was made from bamboo. She designed it for use in rural areas that did not have electricity. This invention helped keep newborn babies warm and safe.
Awards and Recognition
In 1980, Dr. Fe del Mundo was named a National Scientist of the Philippines. She was the first Filipino woman to receive this high honor.
She also received many international awards:
- The Elizabeth Blackwell Award in 1966. This was for her outstanding service to mankind.
- The Outstanding Pediatrician and Humanitarian award in 1977. This was from the International Pediatric Association.
- The Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1977.
Dr. Fe del Mundo was an honorary member of the American Pediatric Society. She was also a consultant for the World Health Organization.
In 2008, she received the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award.
On April 22, 2010, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave Dr. Del Mundo the Order of Lakandula. This is a very high award in the Philippines.
After she passed away, President Benigno Aquino III gave her the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart Award in 2011.
On November 27, 2018, Google Doodle honored her on her 107th birthday.
Images for kids
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Dr. Fe del Mundo
See also
In Spanish: Fe del Mundo para niños
