Janet Greig facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janet Grieg
|
|
|---|---|
Janet Greig, circa 1900
|
|
| Born |
Janet Lindsay Greig
8 August 1874 |
| Died | 18 October 1950 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | Australian, Scottish |
| Education | Brunswick Ladies College University of Melbourne |
| Occupation | anaesthetist |
| Years active | 1897-1937 |
| Medical career | |
| Field | anaesthesia |
Janet Lindsay Greig (born August 8, 1874 – died October 18, 1950) was a pioneering doctor. She was a Scottish-Australian anaesthetist. An anaesthetist is a doctor who gives medicine to make patients sleep during surgery. In 2007, she was honored in the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. This award celebrates amazing women from Victoria, Australia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Janet Lindsay Greig, also known as "Jenny," was born in 1874. Her birthplace was Broughty Ferry, Scotland. She was the second of eight children. Her father, Robert Greig, was a textile merchant. He strongly believed in higher education for his children. Her mother was Jane Stocks.
Janet had five sisters and three brothers. One of her sisters, Jane Stocks Greig, also became a doctor. Janet went to the High School of Dundee in Scotland. In 1889, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia. There, she attended Brunswick Ladies College.
In 1891, Janet and her sister Jane both enrolled in medical school. They studied at the University of Melbourne. Janet worked hard and graduated with honors in 1895. She earned a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery.
Medical Career
After graduating, Janet Greig made history. In 1896, she and Alfreda Gamble became resident medical officers at Melbourne Hospital. This was a big step because they were the first two women to hold such positions there. Many staff members were against it, but they succeeded.
Janet later became the first female anaesthetist in Victoria, Australia. From 1900 to 1917, she worked as an honorary anaesthetist at the Royal Women's Hospital. During World War I, she wanted to help as a medical officer. She volunteered at a military hospital in Melbourne. However, she was told that "lady doctors" were not needed in military hospitals. Instead, she helped by examining nurses who were joining the military.
Private Practice and Hospital Work
For many years, Janet Greig had her own private medical practice. It was located in Fitzroy, Victoria. She also worked as a consultant from Collins Street, Melbourne.
She was one of the founding members of the Queen Victoria Hospital for Women and Children. She served as an honorary medical staff member there for 54 years. In 1937, a new part of the hospital was built. It was a pathology wing, where doctors study diseases. This new wing was named after Janet Greig to honor her work.
In 1940, she became a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. She was also chosen as the President of the Victorian Medical Women's Society.
Later Life and Research
Janet Greig retired from her medical practice in 1947. After retiring, she focused on her research. She was very interested in studying migraines, which are severe headaches.
In 1950, she was visiting London, England, for her research. Sadly, she passed away there on October 18, 1950.
Awards and Honours
- In 2007, Janet Greig was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. This honor recognizes women who have made a big difference in Victoria, Australia.
