Dr. Virginia Apgar revolutionized newborn care with the development of the APGAR test, evaluating babies’ health at one and five minutes old. The test measures Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration to assess a baby’s needs. A score above 7 is normal, while below 3 may signal the need for medical intervention.
Apgar, a trailblazer in medicine, graduated from Columbia University as one of the few female students in 1933. Despite initial discouragement from pursuing surgery, she excelled in anesthesiology and became the first woman to head the Division of Anesthesia at CUCPS.
Her groundbreaking work on assessing newborns’ well-being led to the creation of the Apgar Score in 1953, which is still used worldwide today.
Beyond her medical achievements, Apgar was a multifaceted individual who enjoyed playing instruments, flying planes, and collecting stamps. Her legacy lives on through her impactful contributions to newborn care and public health.
Dr. Apgar’s remarkable career and dedication to preventing birth defects continue to inspire generations, cementing her as a pioneer in the field of medicine.
