Photo of Florence Rena Sabin

Florence Rena Sabin

1871 - 1953
USA USA

Personal Information

Born: 1871

Died: 1953

Country of Birth: USA

Nationality: USA

Ethnicity: White

Education

Smith College BS Zoology 1893; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine 1900

Professional Life

Institution/Corporation: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research

Awards & Achievements

Awards: 1951, Lasker Public Service Award; 1929, Pictorial Review Achievement Award; 1932, National Achievement Award, Chi Omega Sorority; 1935, M. Carey Thomas Prize, Bryn Mawr College; 1945, Trudeau Medal, National Tuberculosis Association; 1973, National Women's Hall of Fame; 1985, Colorado Women's Hall of Fame; 1959, statue of her was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection at the US Capitol; 1 of the 4 medical schools at Johns Hopkins Medical School is named after her as are a school & several awards

Achievements: Honorary Degrees: holds 15; Member: National Tuberculosis Association; American Association of Anatomists; National Academy of Sciences; Colorado Post-War Planning Committee on Public Health; Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (1925)

One of the 1st women physicians to build a career as a research scientist

Made major contributions to the understanding of TB

1st woman to hold a full professorship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

1st female elected to the National Academy of Sciences (1925)

1st female to head a department at Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research

After retiring, had a 2nd career as a public health activist in Colorado

Her mother died when she was 7; she & her sister were sent to live with their paternal grandparents in Vermont

Wanted to be a pianist as a child but discovered she wasn't musically talented

"Sabin Health Laws" reformed public health laws in Colorado

1924, 1st female president of the American Association of Anatomists