Dr. Virginia Apgar, an obstetric anesthesiologist, developed the APGAR test, evaluating newborns’ health through appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration. Born in Westfield, New Jersey, Apgar excelled academically and pursued a career in medicine, becoming the first woman to head a specialty division at Columbia University. She created the APGAR Score in 1949 to assess newborns’ well-being after delivery. Apgar later focused on preventing birth defects and was honored with a stamp by the US Postal Service. Despite her busy career, she maintained diverse interests and passed away in 1974, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
