Putnam, Helen (1857–1951)

views updated

Putnam, Helen (1857–1951)

American physician. Born Sept 14, 1857, in Stockton, MN; died Feb 3, 1951; dau. of Celintha T. (Gates) Putnam and Herbert Asa Putnam; graduate of Vassar College, 1878, and Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania 1889, and Hahnemann University School of Medicine; attended Harvard University's Sargent School of Physical Training.

Suffragist leader and nationally recognized children's health advocate, began career as director of physical education at Vassar College (1883–90); served as vice president of American Association for the Advancement of Physical Education (1885–88); practiced gynecology in Rhode Island; as president of American Academy of Medicine (1908), organized a Conference on the Prevention of Infant Mortality, an event which led to the establishment of American Association for the Study and Prevention of Infant Mortality; with Dr. Abraham Jacobi, founded American Child Health Organization, which merged with American Association for the Study and Prevention of Infant Mortality to become the American Academy of Pediatrics (1923); retired (1935) in Providence, RI.