Medicine, like many other scientific fields, was not always an open space for women. For centuries, studying medicine, practicing it, and being recognized as physicians meant facing social, legal, and cultural barriers that seemed impossible to overcome.
Yet, some women chose to do it anyway.
With knowledge, determination, and a deep vocation for service, they not only paved the way to practice medicine, but also transformed healthcare systems and expanded opportunities for generations of women who followed.
On Women Physicians Day, we honor some of the most influential women in the history of medicine—women whose legacy is still present in medical practice today.
When speaking about women in Mexican medicine, it is impossible not to mention Matilde Montoya.
At a time when it was considered improper—and even impossible—for a woman to study medicine, Matilde Montoya challenged the prejudices of her era and became the first woman to earn a medical degree in Mexico, in 1887.
Her journey was far from easy. She faced:
Despite these obstacles, she persevered. Her graduation required the intervention of then-president Porfirio Díaz, who authorized her to take her professional exam.
Matilde Montoya not only practiced medicine; she also defended women’s right to higher education and active participation in the country’s scientific life. Her story marks the beginning of a profound transformation in Mexican medicine.
On the international stage, one of the most emblematic figures is Elizabeth Blackwell, who in 1849 became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States.
Her admission to medical school occurred almost as a “joke” by her male classmates, who voted in favor believing she would not be taken seriously. Blackwell not only graduated, but devoted her life to improving medical care for women and children.
She was a pioneer in:
Her work laid the foundation for women’s participation in academic and clinical medicine in North America.
Although her name is often associated with physics and chemistry, Marie Curie had a direct and lasting impact on medicine.
She was a pioneer in the study of radioactivity, a field that transformed the diagnosis and treatment of disease—particularly cancer. Her discoveries enabled the development of techniques such as radiotherapy and laid the groundwork for nuclear medicine.
Marie Curie was:
Her legacy shows how scientific research led by women has saved millions of lives.
In pediatrics and obstetrics, Virginia Apgar left an indelible mark by creating the Apgar Score, a rapid assessment used to evaluate a newborn’s health minutes after birth.
This scale, still used worldwide today, has helped to:
Her contribution changed how life is assessed and protected from its very first moments.
Thanks to these pioneers, it is now natural to see women:
However, this reality is the result of decades—and centuries—of effort, resilience, and vision.
Each advancement opened another door, normalizing women’s presence in medicine and enriching patient care with new perspectives and approaches.
Today, women represent a fundamental part of healthcare systems. They not only practice medicine, but also:
Modern medicine cannot be understood without the active contribution of women across all specialties.
Commemorating Women Physicians Day is not only about looking back—it is about recognizing that today’s rights and opportunities are the result of women who dared to challenge what was considered unchangeable.
Stories like Matilde Montoya’s remind us that medicine advances not only through technology, but through people committed to knowledge, equity, and collective well-being.
At Costamed, we recognize and celebrate the essential role women play in medicine. Their knowledge, leadership, and vocation are a vital part of a healthcare system that is more humane, more equitable, and closer to people.
Today, we honor those who opened the path—and those who continue to walk it every day—caring for lives with professionalism and compassion.
Costamed, always near you
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