Elizabeth Curtis French, M.D., was born in Picabo, Idaho on November 7, 1907. She enrolled as a pre-med student at the University of Idaho and continued her studies at the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland, Oregon. She graduated in 1931 at the age of 23, 1 of 4 female medical students out of a class of 75. She served an internship at the Illinois Research Hospital in Chicago, becoming proficient in child delivery. After a year, she completed a residency at the Women's and Children's Hospital in San Francisco, California. French then returned to Weiser, Idaho where she established a general practice.
In 1942, Elizabeth Curtis met and married Donald French. Soon after, she and her husband moved to Portland where she administered first aid to shipyard workers. In 1945, Elizabeth gave birth to her first and only child, Donald. She established a medical office in Portland and specialized in obstetrics and gynecology.
French's husband Donald passed away in 1972. She continued to practice until 1979, reluctantly retiring at the age of 81. After retirement, French traveled extensively, eventually settling in Tucson, Arizona where she gardened, mastered the computer, and began writing an autobiography.
French died of lymphoma at the age of 89 on June 22, 1997, having delivered 7,000 babies in a career span of 60 years.
[Collection title], Collection Number [####-###], Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives.
The Elizabeth Curtis French Papers contain 1 folder of manuscripts, correspondence, and other documents created and/or collected by Elizabeth Curtis French, M.D.
Manuscripts include 2 copies of paper, "Lukemia," most likely composed by French as well as the 1926 revision of McKim Marriot's "Notes on Infant Nutrition," used by A.E. Gourdeau and L. Howard Smith of the University of Oregon Medical School's Department of Pediatrics. The Marriot manuscript contains handwritten notes.
Documents include 2 pages of handwritten notes on infant nutrition; notes on powdered milk versus irradiated milk; voucher for services and supplies; Appendix II of War Department Regulations, Relief of Unemployment, Civilian Conservation Corps - Standards of Physical Examination for Applicants for Enrollment in the Civilian Conservation Corps; and State of Idaho Unemployment Compensation Division, Industrial Accident Board's Employers Monthly Contribution Report.
Correspondence includes three letters of diagnosis; reply to Lyle B. Kingery, M.D., regarding patient consultation; and letter to all employers from the State of Idaho Unemployment Compensation Division, Industrial Accident Board regarding monthly contribution report.
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