Jane Stocks Greig facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Greig
|
|
|---|---|
Dr Jean Greig, 1907
|
|
| Born |
Jane Stocks Greig
12 June 1872 |
| Died | 16 September 1939 (aged 67) Richmond, Australia
|
| Nationality | Australian, Scottish |
| Education | University of Melbourne |
| Occupation | physician |
| Years active | 1897–1937 |
| Known for | advocate for public health, Chief medical officer of Victoria |
| Medical career | |
| Field | public health |
Jane Stocks "Jean" Greig (born June 12, 1872 – died September 16, 1939) was a pioneering doctor. She was born in Scotland and later became an expert in public health in Australia.
Early Life and Education
Jean Greig was born in 1872 in Cupar, Scotland. She was the oldest of eight children. Her father, Robert Greig, was a textile merchant. He strongly believed in the importance of higher education for all his children.
Jean first went to school at the High School of Dundee. In 1889, when she was 17, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia. There, she continued her studies at Brunswick Ladies College.
Following her father's encouragement, Jean and her sister Janet both enrolled in medical school. They started at the University of Melbourne in 1891. Jean worked hard and earned her Bachelor of Medicine degree in 1895. The next year, in 1896, she completed her Bachelor of Surgery with honors.
A Career in Public Health
After finishing university, Jean Greig began her career as a doctor. She worked in general practice in Melbourne, helping many patients. In 1896, she helped create the Victorian Medical Women's Society. This group supported women doctors.
She also helped start the Queen Victoria Hospital for Women and Children in 1896. She worked there as a volunteer doctor until 1910.
Jean Greig was very interested in public health. This means looking after the health of whole communities. She went back to the University of Melbourne to study for a Diploma of Public Health. In 1910, she became the first woman at the university to earn this degree.
After this, she started working for the Victorian Department of Education. Her job was to provide healthcare for schoolchildren. She was promoted in 1929 to be the Chief Medical Officer for the department. This was a very important role.
From 1924 to 1925, she was part of a special group called the Royal Commission on Health. She traveled to different countries to share her ideas on health and dental checks. She also wrote many articles and reports for the Medical Journal of Australia. From 1916 to 1939, she taught about hygiene at the University of Melbourne and at the Teachers' Training College.
Later Life and Legacy
Jean Greig passed away from cancer in 1939 in Richmond, Victoria. She left behind an important legacy.
In 2007, she was honored by being added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. In 2012, her image was featured on an Australian postage stamp. This stamp series celebrated important "Medical Doctors" who made a difference.
