Eloísa Díaz

Eloísa Raquel Díaz Insunza (Known as "Dr. Díaz")

First Female Medical Doctor in Chile and South America (1887), School Health Reformer

Born 1866-06-25

Santiago, Chile

Passed Away 1950-11-01 San Vicente de Paul Hospital, Santiago, Chile

Lifespan 84 years old

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Notice / Correction

"Science has no prejudice of gender; healing the sick is the highest duty of a loving heart."

Archival Overview

Trailblazing medical pioneer who shattered continental gender barriers by graduating in 1887 as the first female physician in Chile and all of South America, serving as School Medical Director for thirty years.

Biographical Record

Eloísa Raquel Díaz Insunza was born on June 25, 1866, in Santiago. Taking advantage of the historic 1877 Amunátegui Decree allowing women to enter universities, Díaz enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile in 1881, attending lectures behind a screen accompanied by her mother to avoid social scandal.

On January 3, 1887, she defended her thesis, graduating as the first woman doctor of medicine and surgery in South America. Appointed School Medical Director of Chile, Dr. Díaz revolutionized public hygiene: instituting mandatory student vaccinations against smallpox, free school breakfast and milk programs, and medical inspections in primary schools across the republic. The Dra. Eloísa Díaz Insunza Clinical Hospital honors her name.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

General Cemetery of Santiago
Santiago, Chile

                         GPS: -33.4202, -70.6552                    

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