United States
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Leila Denmark
Portal, United States
Archival Overview
Pioneering American pediatrician and supercentenarian who co-developed the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine and treated children for over seven decades until retiring at age 103.
Biographical Record
Leila Alice Daughtry was the third woman to graduate with an MD from the Medical College of Georgia in 1928. When an epidemic of whooping cough struck Atlanta in 1932, killing thousands of infants, she partnered with Eli Lilly and Emory University to isolate the bacteria and create an effective vaccine.
Dr. Denmark authored 'Every Child Should Have a Chance' (1971), advocating fresh air, maternal love, and healthy nutrition. Operating her pediatric clinic out of her Alpharetta home, she charged as little as $10 per consultation, treating poor families free of charge until retiring in 2001 at age 103. She lived to be 114 years old, one of the oldest verified doctors in human history.
Key Life Milestones
Development of the Pertussis Vaccine
Successfully developed the whooping cough vaccine, helping eliminate one of infant medicine's deadliest diseases.
Retirement at Age 103
Retired after 73 consecutive years of pediatric clinical practice, treating three generations of families.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialPortal, United States