5 Pioneering Women Behind the Drape
Trailblazing, innovating, and transforming patient care—meet the living women in anesthesiology who changed the profession.
National Women Physicians Day, celebrated every February 3rd, honors the groundbreaking contributions of women in medicine and the challenges we face to transform healthcare. This day marks the birthday of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, who shattered barriers in 1849 as the first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S. It’s a tribute to the resilience and pioneering spirit of women who’ve paved the way for generations of female physicians. More than a celebration, it’s a call to continue the fight for gender equality and diversity in medicine.
There are many heroines in the history of anesthesiology, from the first woman anesthesiologist, Dr. Rupa Bai Furdoonji, to Virginia Apgar (most famous for her work developing a health score determined for babies immediately after birth).
But I don’t want to wait for women to die to have their contributions to the field highlighted and honored.
So here’s a list of 5 senior women anesthesiologists whose work changed the field of anesthesiology for the better.
The Revered Elder: Dr. Aileen Adams
Dr. Aileen Adams, at 101 years old, was at the operating table for some of the most significant scientific and safety advancements in modern anesthesia. She is one of the oldest living anesthesiologists.
Dr. Adams, a trailblazer in anesthesiology and medical history, was the first and only female Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists at the Royal College of Surgeons (1985–1988). She had an extraordinary career spanning clinical innovation, leadership, and scholarship. Born into a medical family, she entered Sheffield Medical School during World War II, one of only six women in her class. Qualifying in 1945, she trained and worked alongside some of the most influential figures in anesthesiology, including Dr. Cecil Gray and Dr. Henry Beecher.
Her early career reflected the evolution of anesthesia itself, beginning with ether and chloroform before advancing to modern techniques that transformed surgical safety and patient care.
Though she retired from clinical practice in 1983, Dr. Adams’ contributions to medicine continued through her work as a historian. She has been president of several prestigious medical history societies, including the History of Anaesthesia Society and the British Society for the History of Medicine. Her lifetime of service has been recognized with numerous honors, including being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
At 101 years old, Dr. Adams remains a towering figure in anesthesiology—a pioneer whose career has shaped both the practice and the historical understanding of the field.
The Historian: Dr. Kathryn McGoldrick
Dr. Kathryn McGoldrick’s legacy as an anesthesiologist and historian is one of remarkable leadership, scholarship, and dedication to patient care and medical education. Rising to emeritus status at New York Medical College, she held influential roles as professor and chair of anesthesiology, advisory dean for student affairs, and residency program director. Before that, she made her mark at Yale University, where she was a professor of anesthesiology, chief of ambulatory anesthesiology, and recipient of an honorary MA Privatim. Her commitment to advancing medical education extended to her tenure at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, where she contributed to institutional accreditation from 2016 to 2020.
Beyond her academic and administrative leadership, Dr. McGoldrick is a distinguished editor and author, serving as editor-in-chief of Survey of Anesthesiology for over two decades and penning a highly regarded textbook on ambulatory anesthesiology. Her professional contributions were recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Bertha Van Hoosen Award from the American Medical Women’s Association, the Silver Medal from the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, and the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology Distinguished Service Award. A dedicated mentor, educator, and advocate for the specialty, Dr. McGoldrick’s influence continues to resonate through the countless students, residents, and colleagues she inspires.
The Reformer: Dr. Alice Coombs
Dr. Alice Coombs is a physician-leader whose career embodies the intersection of clinical excellence, advocacy, and policy reform. A board-certified critical care specialist, anesthesiologist, and internist, she has dedicated more than 30 years to improving patient care while also shaping the systems that govern healthcare access and delivery. Dr. Coombs currently serves as chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Virginia Commonwealth University and president of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV).
Dr. Coombs made history as the first Black woman, and only the fourth woman, to hold the MSV presidency since its founding in 1821. She is also the only physician to have led two state medical societies, having previously served as president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. Her leadership agenda is deeply rooted in health equity, clinician well-being, and advocating for sustainable healthcare policies.
Dr. Coombs' commitment to addressing health disparities is both personal and professional. Growing up in Compton, California, she witnessed firsthand the inequities in healthcare that were reinforced by systemic racism and economic divides. Those early observations, combined with her medical training at UCLA and Massachusetts General Hospital, shaped her passion for policy-driven change. She has been a relentless advocate for healthcare reform, leading efforts such as the AMA’s Commission to Eliminate Health Care Disparities and helping to implement Massachusetts legislation on adverse patient care events. Additionally, she has worked at the national level, serving on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission under the Obama administration and the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education. Through her work, she remains in clinical practice, ensuring that real-world clinical experiences inform policy decisions. In her major leadership roles, she continues to champion physician wellness, protect the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship, and push for meaningful reforms that will shape the future of medicine.
The Eponym Holder: Dr. Linda Mason
Dr. Linda J. Mason’s illustrious career in anesthesiology and pediatrics is marked by decades of leadership, scholarship, and dedication to advancing patient care and medical education. A professor at Loma Linda University since 1996 and Director of Pediatric Anesthesiology at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the field of pediatric anesthesia. After completing her medical degree and anesthesiology training at Loma Linda, she pursued a fellowship in pediatric anesthesia and intensive care at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her expertise spans critical care, cardiac anesthesia, and pediatric anesthesiology, with multiple specialty board certifications demonstrating her commitment to excellence.
In 1980, before we had effective ways to monitor neuromuscular blocking medications (medications that induce paralysis) in children, Dr. Mason and her colleague, figured out what physical signs we can look for in a baby to make sure it is safe to wake them up from anesthesia (Mason-Betts sign).
Beyond her clinical and academic contributions, Dr. Mason has been a trailblazer in professional leadership. She served as President of the California Society of Anesthesiologists and later became the 2019 President of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Her influence extends to medical education and accreditation, having served on the ACGME Review Committee for Anesthesiology and as an editor for the American Board of Anesthesiology’s pediatric exams. Recognized with numerous honors, including the CSA Distinguished Service Award and the Distinguished Academic Award from Loma Linda University Health, she has also delivered over 600 lectures and visiting professorships worldwide.
A dedicated educator, mentor, and leader, Dr. Mason’s legacy continues to shape the future of anesthesiology.
The Program Builder: Dr. Shiela Cohen
Dr. Sheila Cohen’s career in obstetric anesthesia is one of extraordinary dedication, leadership, and academic excellence.
Working in Stanford’s anesthesiology department, I often hear about Dr. Shiela Cohen, even though she stepped into semi-retirement before I arrived. In addition to her legacy as an obstetric anesthesiologist, she influenced generations of physicians to value the contributions of women in anesthesiology.
A transplant from Great Britain, she trained at Manchester University before completing her anesthesia residency at Westminster Hospital in London, where she earned the prestigious Fellowship Prize for the best exam performance of the year. In 1973, she joined the faculty at Stanford University, where she spent her entire career, becoming Co-Director and later Director of Obstetric Anesthesia. Under her leadership, Stanford’s obstetric anesthesia program grew significantly, both in clinical volume and academic influence, with a robust fellowship and research program. Her work helped shape the field, not only at Stanford but globally, through her numerous journal publications, book chapters, and leadership roles in professional organizations. Anesthesiologists at all levels used Cohen and Riley’s Obstetric Anesthesia Pocket Reference.
Dr. Cohen’s influence extends far beyond Stanford. She played a pivotal role in the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Obstetric Anesthesia Committee and served as ASA Liaison to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was a highly sought-after speaker, delivering keynote addresses worldwide, from Japan to Scandinavia. Her contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the SOAP Distinguished Service Award and Stanford teaching awards. Even in semi-retirement, she continues to advance maternal health, co-leading efforts to reduce maternal mortality in California and improve maternal cardiac arrest management.
A trailblazer, mentor, and advocate for women’s health, Dr. Cohen’s legacy in obstetric anesthesia remains deeply impactful.
These are just a few of the incredible women in anesthesiology. I’m incredibly lucky to be in this profession, with insightful, strong, trailblazing women like these to follow.
Thanks for this great article Alyssa. An uplifting read in this rather dismal time.