Gertrude Herzfeld

One of the first female surgeons to work in Scotland and the first female paediatric surgeon, Gertrude studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and spent most of her career in the city.

 

In the 1920s and 30s, she held several medical appointments in Edinburgh, including consultant surgeon at the Bruntsfield Hospital for Women and the first female honorary assistant surgeon at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Sick Children. She became a full surgeon there in 1925.

 

She helped found the Edinburgh School of Chiropody, where she was also a lecturer, and served as a medical advisor to the Edinburgh Cripple Aid Society and to the Trefoil School for Physically Handicapped Children. She was the national president of the Medical Women’s Federation from 1948 to 1950.

 

Gertrude was also a lecturer on childhood surgery at the University of Edinburgh. She was well-known at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, where she was affectionately known by the nickname ‘Gertie’.