Woman Doctor of World Reknown
Born in Intramuros, Manila, on November 27, 1911, Fe
del Mundo founded the very first pediatric hospital in the
Philippines and molded the modern child healthcare
system to what it is now. She graduated from the
University of the Philippines and continued her studies
at Boston University.
Her work and accomplishments were focused on
addressing the lack of medical equipment in rural
communities during the aftermath of the war. She is
most reknown for inventing an incubator made out of
bamboo specifically designed for places without electrical power.
Here are few things she is known for:
● 1st woman pediatrician to be admitted to Harvard Medical School (1936).
● 1st woman to be named National Scientist of the Philippines (1980).
● Founded the 1st pediatric hospital then Children Medical Center, and now Fe Del Mundo
Medical Center.
● She is credited with studies that lead to the invention of the first incubator and
jaundice-relieving device.
● Received the Elizabeth Blackwell Award as a “Woman Doctor of World Reknown”.
● Received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for “Outstanding Public Service”.
● Received the 15th International Congress of Pediatrics Award as the “Most Outstanding
Pediatrician and Humanitarian” in (1977).
In 1941, she invented an incubator made
of bamboo. It helped cure premature
babies born in areas of the Philippines that
then had no electricity. In 1982, she
authored the Textbook of Pediatrics, an
essential textbook used in medical schools
in the Philippines and other countries.
