Introduction

The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917. With the declaration of war, President Woodrow Wilson called for volunteers to serve in the United States Army and Navy – and this included doctors. Doctors who did not take the opportunity to volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps as commissioned officers were not exempt from the draft.

However, women physicians were not permitted to serve in the military medical corps. The desire to advance in the medical profession and to relieve those suffering in post-war conditions prompted American women physicians to establish the first American Women's Hospital (AWH) in France in 1918. Many faculty members of Woman's Med, as well as former students, made the decision to serve with AWH in France.

This exhibit explores the roles of Hahnemann Medical College and Woman's Medical College in World War I and how some faculty members and students of both colleges were involved.

American Women's Hospitals physicians, nurses, and chauffeurs, before leaving for Europe, circa 1918

Dr. Bohn's English-French dictionary.

Curated by Chrissie Perella

 
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